Leon Marchand Named to TIME100 List of Most Influential People in the World
Leon Marchand, whose four gold-medal performances at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris captivated the sport, has been named to the 2025 TIME100 by TIME. The annual list features “the 100 most influential people in the world.” The French superstar is coached by Bob Bowman and, after a break following his Olympic success, has returned to training in Austin, Texas.
Marchand’s tribute for the TIME100 was written by fellow swimmer Summer McIntosh, who won four individual medals of her own at the Olympic Games. Here is what McIntosh wrote:
“Léon Marchand’s drive to get his hand on the wall first at the Paris Olympics captivated the entire world four times over.
“First, he dominated the 400-m individual medley, winning gold by over 5 seconds. He then went on to become the first swimmer ever to achieve Olympic record-breaking, back-to-back individual gold medals in the 200-m butterfly and 200-m breaststroke—each within a couple hours of each other. His fourth win? The 200-m individual medley, another broken record. I have so much respect for the incredible work and dedication that went into Léon’s preparation to be the world’s best across multiple races, including some of the toughest events in our sport.
“Everyone in the building felt the energy when Léon was racing. The crowd would roar each time his head broke the surface of the water. His performance at the 2024 Olympics inspires the entire world of sport to bring your best when your best is required. To be able to do that under the pressure of a home crowd is nothing short of sensational. Léon is simply unstoppable.”
Here is a link to Marchand’s profile in TIME.
Nothing against Summer but I’d have preferred they ask (Who knows? Maybe they did.) Hubi Kos, who was an Olympic Gold Medalist like Summer, to write this profile. He trained with Leon everyday for a year and a half and would have probably had a better idea of his makeup.
Summer was already on the Time 100 Next List
We love Léon Marchand and this distinction, which conveys a lot of values, not necessarily pecuniary, suits him well. Incidentally, we should note that TIME called upon Summer McIntosh to write a lovely little text under his photo; it’s a kind of beautiful tribute that also confirms, in some way, the power that this 18-year-old young woman already possesses.
Elliot Morrison’s have my goal I need to beat Leon Marchand’s world record all time for me. Then I keep Those medals.
My country is United States.