Léon Marchand's Stellar 2024 Swimming Season
Léon Marchand, the 22-year-old swimming sensation from Toulouse, has had an extraordinary 2024 season, marked by numerous victories and significant financial rewards. This year, he clinched 19 race wins, including triumphs at the NCAA championships and the Short Course World Cup. His latest victory in Singapore included a win in the 400m medley, solidifying his status as one of the top swimmers of the season.
Marchand's journey began with a successful NCAA championship with Arizona State University in March, where he secured two wins at the 2024 TYR Pro Series in Texas. His performance there earned him $4,000. However, the highlight of his season came during the Olympic Games in Paris, where he showcased his prowess in front of a home crowd. The French government increased the financial incentives for medalists, awarding gold medalists €80,000, silver medalists €40,000, and bronze medalists €20,000. Marchand's impressive haul included four gold medals and a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay, bringing his Olympic earnings to €340,000, the highest among the French delegation.
Following a brief vacation, Marchand continued to excel in the Short Course World Cup, where he won multiple events in China and Singapore, and finished second in South Korea. His outstanding performance not only earned him a total of $174,000 in bonuses but also made him the overall winner of the World Cup, a historic achievement as he became the first Frenchman to do so. Despite finishing second in the 200m freestyle to British swimmer Duncan Scott, Marchand's consistent victories in his preferred events secured him a $100,000 bonus for the overall ranking.
In addition to his monetary gains, Marchand set an impressive record of 11 French records, 4 European records, and 1 world record during the season, earning an additional €52,000 in bonuses from the French Swimming Federation. Overall, his earnings for the 2024 season amount to approximately €555,700, excluding taxes and sponsorship contracts, marking a remarkable year for the young athlete.
