The Toulouse swimmer is back home, three medals gleaned in Budapest around his neck, including two gold.
With a big smile, but not really knowing where to look, Léon Marchand multiplies the hugs with his childhood friends, takes photos, the emotion is easily read on his face. Under the gaze of his parents, the world champion was presented by Jean-Luc Moudenc with the city’s gold medal. “A big thank you and a big congratulations to you Léon, you have blown us away and you deserve to develop your place here”, declared the mayor to applause before adding: “Thank you for making us vibrate. Thank you for your loyalty. Toulouse is a city of sport and today you are the symbol of all that. »

Visibly impressed by the assembly, the young champion thanked all the people who allowed him to be, already, on top of the world, before adding: “It’s my best medal. The ceremony ended with a speech by Vincent Gardeau, president of the Dauphins du TOEC, who praised Léon Marchand’s values, both sporting and human, before insisting on the pride of all those who worked with him in this pool of French swimming. “He is an intelligent, hard-working, passionate boy who is attached to his family and friends. He is a gifted boy at the start but who is also very well surrounded. Let’s savor the present moment, thanks to him, the club is on top of the world. I am the happiest of presidents, ”he says as his voice knots, succumbing to emotion.

Léon Marchand continues the photos and autographs again, always with a broad smile. A star day for the one who, at only twenty years old, is still a hope but already a reference in swimming. The Toulousain should stay a month in the Pink City before returning to the United States with the main objective, Paris 2024.