With Alan BaldwinReuters

Leon Marchand dominated the pool at the Paris Olympics.
Photograph: SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP

Four finals, four gold medals, four Olympic records: Leon Marchand’s success in the Paris pool was so extraordinary that it would not have been surprising if some of his compatriots thought he was both swimming and walking on water.

The home hero, whose name echoes everywhere, is doing his best to maintain a down-to-earth stance.

Marchand, now in the same field as American greats Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz, the only other male athletes to win four individual swimming gold medals at the same Games, was astonished by the comparison.

“This is crazy. These guys are legends. Legends of their sport,” said the young player, whose coach Bob Bowman also worked with Phelps.

“It’s crazy to be compared to these guys. I guess I don’t get it now. Maybe in a few days I’ll get it.”

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Marchand began the Games as a symbol of the host nation’s dreams and aspirations, but he was a hero with no medals.

He didn’t have to wait long.

Gold came in the first event, the 400m individual medley, and the Frenchman then achieved unprecedented success in the 200m butterfly and breaststroke on the same day. He competes in the 200m individual medley on Saturday NZT.

“I woke up this morning full of energy,” Marchand told reporters.

“I don’t think anything went wrong this week. Everything was perfect.

“I never thought I could win four gold medals,” he added. “At first I was just trying to win one. I had four chances to do it.

“Now I definitely need time to think about what I just did. So I need a vacation.”

Bowman said the comparisons to Phelps are justified.

“It’s true that Leon joins that rare club of people, along with Michael, who perform better when the pressure is on,” he said.

“That’s why his performance soars under pressure.

“There have been a lot of great swimmers. He’s definitely one of the best.”

Silver medallist Duncan Scott, who won a record eighth medal for his country and is also considered one of Britain’s best, agreed.

“He’s becoming a bit of a global superstar now,” the Scot said. “He’s now managing France… you can see he’s doing it with a smile on his face and the crowd is giving him so much energy. It’s been amazing to witness.”

– Reuters