Leon Marchand competes in the men's 400-meter individual medley final at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships on July 23 in Fukuoka. (Stefan Wermuth/REUTERS)
Within four days, a pair of world records set more than a decade ago were rewritten at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.
Bravo to the record-breaking swimmers.
And another thought is dancing around my brain: It's good for the sport to receive this positive jolt of attention during the world championships.
Transcendent stars Michael Phelps and Federica Pellegrini had owned world records in the men's 400-meter individual medley and women's 200-meter freestyle since August 10, 2008 (the Beijing Olympics), and July 29, 2009 (the World Aquatics Championships in Rome), respectively.
Marchand repeated as world champion in the 400 IM with a sensational performance in the final on Sunday, July 23. He completed the race in 4:02.50, shattering Phelps' mark of 4:03.84. In July 2022, in Budapest, Marchand won his first world title in the event (4:04.28).
France's Leon Marchand celebrates with retired American swimmer Michael Phelps after winning the men's 400-meter medley final at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships on July 23 in Fukuoka. (Stefan Wermuth/REUTERS)
After Sunday's epic performance, Marchand was not at a loss for words.
"That was insane," Marchand was quoted as saying by The Associated Press after the race.
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He called it "one of the most painful things."
And it was incredibly meaningful to him at the same time.
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