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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Angelique Chrisafis in Paris

Marchand mania sweeps France as Le Roi Léon rules first week of Olympics

Léon Marchand during the Olympic medal ceremony for the 200m breaststroke in which he won gold.
Léon Marchand during the Olympic medal ceremony for the 200m breaststroke in which he won gold. Photograph: Yutaka/AFLO/Shutterstock

When Léon Marchand became the greatest swimmer in French history this week with an unprecedented double run of two gold medals in less than two hours on Wednesday night, Marchand mania took over the nation.

Commentators announced that the shy, smiling 22-year-old, known as “half man, half dolphin” for his powerful underwater push-offs, had “restored national pride”.

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