LEON Marchand became the first athlete ever to win two golds in two hours in July 2024, both victories sealed with Olympic records.
The Frenchman, who’s going for even more medals at the Paris Games, comes from a family full of swimming pedigree — here we get to know his parents Xavier and Celine.
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Who are Leon Marchand’s parents?
Leon Marchand was born in Toulouse, France on May 17, 2002.
He comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport of swimming.
His father Xavier Marchand is a former world silver medallist and Olympian.
While his mother is Celine Bonnet, who competed at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
Leon announced he would study at Arizona State University and train under the guidance of Bob Bowman in September 2020.
Bob is the former mentor to the most decorated swimmer in the history of the sport, US swimming legend Michael Phelps.
We told [Leon], no, don’t do swimming, it’s too hard. No holidays, every day. But he wants to do it
Celine Bonnet
Speaking about the standard in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) championships in March 2023, Celine told Swimming World: “This is an incredible competition. We love it.
“It was wonderful, it’s a big system and a very good country for swimming.
“And we saw the very good competition. We think for Leon it’s very good for him to swim here than in France.”
She continued: “We have known since a long time, Leon has been always winning his races, winning his races in France. But we are very happy for him.”
While dad Xavier added: “I think it was a factor, the school and swimming.
“In France, it’s more difficult to have both school and swimming. We know here in the US, there is both.”
What do Leon Marchand’s parents do for a living?
Both of Leon’s parents are former professional swimmers.
Even so, his parents tried to discourage Leon from a career in the sport.
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Celine told Swimming World: “We told him, no, don’t do swimming, it’s too hard. No holidays, every day.
“But he wants to do it.”
There are no reports of any work Leon’s parents have undertaken outside of their athletics careers.
What are Xavier and Celine Bonnet Olympic track records?
Leon’s parents have three Olympic appearances between them.
His mother Celine made her Olympic debut at Barcelona 1992 when she was just 16 years old.
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She represented France in three individual events — the 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley.
Her highest finish came in the 200m individual medley, where she came in 14th place.
Celine also competed in the 4×100m medley relay, with France finishing 14th.
His dad Xavier made two Olympic appearances — at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 — and also represented France.
While he only entered in one event at each of the Games he competed in, the 200m individual medley, he made the final both times.
He came 8th in Atlanta, improving on that position in Sydney, where he finished in 7th place.