Léon Marchand, who has already distinguished himself with two titles in two races at the French Swimming Championships, still has room to improve before the Worlds scheduled in five weeks in Japan, his coach Bob Bowman assured Monday.
“I’m very happy because he’s not 100% prepared (for the French championships) and he still has room for each race,” said Bob Bowman, former coach of Michael Phelps, who coaches the French for just under two years.
The 21-year-old Frenchman, double world champion last year (200 and 400 m medley), must still compete in four races this week in the swimming pool of Rennes.
“It’s a bit like training for him, I prepare him especially for the Worlds. So I see it as training,” added the 58-year-old coach. “My plan is to take him to the Worlds. He even swims a little better than I thought, which is fine with me.”
Sunday, on the first day of competition, Marchand made an impression by signing the best performance of the year in the 200m breaststroke, less than a second from the world record. He continued Monday with a title in the 200m freestyle final.
