Leon Marchand Targets World Record at Swimming Championships

Leon Marchand is narrowing his focus at the World Swimming Championships, aiming for a world record in the 200m medley.

He dropped the 200m breast and 200m fly events to concentrate on his strongest race.

Marchand returned to his training base in Austin, Texas, after a six-week vacation and surfing in Australia.

He was asked for a picture while dining in Greece, estimating his fame is 10 times greater in France.

Marchand's coach, Nicolas Castel, said they made this choice because he has never had the opportunity to present a 200m medley without having a race before or after the same day.

The 200m fly final is the day before the 200m IM final, and the 200m breast semis are in the same session as the 200m IM final.

Marchand could be capable of breaking the world record: 1:54.00, set by Ryan Lochte at the 2011 World Championships.

In Paris, Marchand swam 1:54.06, missing the record by six hundredths of a second.

If he can take it down, Marchand will become the second man to own both individual medley world records in the last 30 years.

His Austin-based coach, Bob Bowman, said he's been swimming near his top level in practice.

Marchand took six weeks of vacation after the Olympics and then broke Lochte's 200m IM world record for 25-meter short course pools on November 1.

He swam and surfed in Australia over three months early this year, cracking a rib and missing a week.

Marchand has yet to swim at a high-stakes meet in 2025, unlike Americans who had to qualify through trials.

The World Swimming Championships air live on Peacock from July 26-August 3.