Leon Marchand has opened up about how life in the United States differs from his experience in France, explaining that while his surroundings have changed, he remains the same person at his core. The four-time Olympic champion was asked whether the move has made him feel like a different version of himself, a notion he dismissed with a smile.
Marchand explained that although his identity has not shifted, he feels far less guarded in the U.S., where the pressure and scrutiny that followed his Olympic success are noticeably reduced. With fewer external expectations, he said he is more in tune with himself, both mentally and emotionally, allowing him to live more freely and naturally.
Leon Marchand Reveals How He is Less Judged in the United States
Speaking in a recent interview with French newspaper Le Parisien, Marchand reflected on how the change in environment has helped him find calm and balance after struggling with post-Olympic fame.
“The person is the same, but I feel less guarded when I’m here. I’m a little more in tune with myself because I feel less scrutinized from all sides.”
“It’s cooler, more peaceful and calmer. That’s why I feel good. I have the feeling of having regained some spontaneity, of living like everyone else. I have a certain freedom. Here, I don’t need to hide; I do what I want,” the 23-year-old.
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The seven-time long-course world champion began his U.S. journey by committing to Arizona State University in 2021 to train under Bob Bowman. When Bowman relocated to Austin in 2024 to become head coach at the University of Texas, Marchand turned pro and followed him there, training alongside other Austin-based swimmers and continuing to do so.
Marchand Reflects on Training Environment in Austin
Marchand believes he has found the ideal environment to continue his development as he prepares for the next phase of his journey. Speaking recently in an interview with SwimSwam, the French star shared that training in Austin alongside his current group has not only met expectations but reinforced his confidence in the setup surrounding him.
The swimmer emphasized the overall quality of the environment and mentioned how, without the success he has already achieved, being part of the Austin-based training group would still represent a dream scenario.
“I was actually talking about it during my French interview like two days ago, but even if I didn’t win medals at the Olympics, it would be a dream to be here. Just because we have the best group in the world for training. We probably have the best coach as well. We have everything we need,” he said during his appearance at the Austin Pro Swim Series meet.
He added that the consistency and completeness of the setup have made the experience especially valuable as he looks ahead to future competitions. He described the environment as “perfect,” noting that it allows him to focus fully on preparation without distractions.
