Leon Marchand has withdrawn from the French Championships to undergo further medical treatment on the major adductor muscle of his right leg.
The four-time Olympic champion made a blistering start to the meet in Saint-Etienne with a 4:04.56 400IM, the fifth-fastest performance in history and fourth among his own pantheon.
However, he felt a sharp pain in his adductor during the 200m breaststroke prelims on Monday in which he finished ninth and withdrew from the B final.
Now he has pulled out of the remainder of the championships – which double as qualification for the European Championships in Paris in August – where he was entered into the 200 and 400 free, 200 fly and 200IM.
A statement from the French Swimming Federation stated: “Léon is forced to withdraw from the rest of the 2026 French Championships due to pain in his right adductor during the 200-meter breaststroke heats.
“During the third 50 meters of his heat, Léon felt a sharp pain in the adductor major of his right leg. Although initial examinations (ultrasound and MRI) did not reveal any major abnormalities, a lesion is suspected.
“In order to avoid any aggravation and to preserve his health, Léon has decided, in agreement with his technical and medical staff, not to continue the competition. Léon will now be taken care of at INSEP by the French team doctor for additional examinations and follow-up.”
The major adductor muscle is the adductor magnus which is the largest and most powerful muscle in the inner thigh’s adductor group. According to the National Health Service (NHS), an adductor strain is often called a groin strain and is a stretch or tear in the muscle fibres and recovery can take from one to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the tear.
The pool programme at the European Championships starts on 10 August – six weeks and a day hence – and the possible absence of Marchand from a home showcase casts a major shadow. Maxime Grousset – the three-time world fly champion – is also a major doubt after he fractured his left foot earlier this month.