And four! Four gold medals and four Olympic records. No rest for the brave or for the Dream Merchant! He appeared with drawn features. Léon knew that the danger this week lay in the sequence of his different races, both heats and finals. He knew that he could arrive drained in his competition today, the 200 meters medley, a distance that he masters perfectly. He holds the last two world titles in 2022 and 2023.
On Thursday, after qualifying for the semi-finals, he confided: “I’m going to try to recover now, I’m out of juice. I’m a bit dried out. I need to have a good night’s sleep, eat well, hydrate and that’ll do it.” The day before, after his historic double, he went to bed around 4 a.m. A sleepiness delayed by the obligations of medal presentations and a press conference.
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Waking up at 8am was tough. “Mentally and physically, it stung a bit,” he said. “But hey, I’m so happy.” Even the coach of the French team, Denis Auguin, admitted it: “He looked like a dead man when he arrived at the pool. During the warm-up, he told us: ‘I’m tired, I swim like a sausage.’ In that situation, it’s the storm that would rage in the head of any swimmer: Not Léon! “He’s incredibly calm and confident,” Denis Auguin still marvels.
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It must be said that, since last Sunday, the boy has discovered another way to carry him on the water. The enthusiasm of a swarm of supporters won over to his cause who push him with the energy of the Teahupoo wave. Long timid about contact with the crowd, the Frenchman now relies on the love shown to him by the public. As proof, it is in chorus that the 17,0000 spectators of Paris La Défense Arena, have taken the habit of singing the refrain of “que je t’aime” by Johnny Halliday. How could the young man remain indifferent when the whole of France stops breathing to see him Léon? And triumph…
Leon had a hard time dealing with his emerging fame.
In recent months, and since the start of these Games, he had surrounded himself with a protective bubble. Léon was having trouble managing his emerging celebrity. Uncomfortable being the object of everyone’s attention. “Last year at the 2023 French championships, he wasn’t ready to accept this fascination that he now exerts on people,” recalls Thomas Sammut, his mental trainer. He felt too exposed. He needed to be protected.
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We may have gone a bit far, Thomas Sammut now acknowledges, but it was necessary! We talked about it with Léon. Armor is also heavy to wear and sometimes energy-consuming. It’s important to return to something more natural. He realized that in fact, there was no danger, adds Sammut. For some time now, he has been developing his introverted side. He has been able to tame himself and tame the public.
Charm him above all. With his face like the little Prince of Saint-Exupéry Exupéry, his smile and his simplicity. His talent too! “He realizes that his journey is very inspiring, especially for young people,” adds Sammut. “Because Léon is an ordinary young man who does extraordinary things.”
As if it were given to the average person to win 4 gold medals in the 400m medley, 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, and 200m medley, each time setting an Olympic record. What is certain is that Léon embodies the France that wins, the one that rejoices and vibrates in unison. Every French person will remember, even in several years, where they were when King Léon was crowned with gold.
