2024-03-28 06:00:13
The Star-Spangled Banner resonates a cappella in the Natatorium of Indiana University (United States), which resembles an aquatic cathedral. Funny faithful, disguised or in swimsuits, solemnly listen to the American anthem this Wednesday evening, March 27. Among them, a “Frenchie” from Arizona who, for two years, has been walking on water: Léon Marchand, three-time reigning world champion and expected star of the Olympic Games (OG) in four months in Paris.
From California to Alabama via Kentucky and Missouri, the best of the United States’ university swimmers have met until Saturday for the NCAA finals. Four letters that sound like a totem in the American university circuit. “It’s a bit like the Superbowl of swimming,” image Josh Huger, assistant coach of the Golden Bears of “Cal”, the nickname of Berkeley, two-time defending champion. “What makes the event unique? Bring together the best swimmers in the world, immerse them in a 25-yard pool [22,86 mètres]and they will swim quickly, he said, revealing the recipe for the event born in 1937.
For many of the 235 swimmers entered, the NCAAs are the pinnacle of the season. For everyone, an event not to be missed. A religion even. With its chapels – around forty universities are represented – its mottos, its mascots and its colors. Since August 2021, Léon Marchand has defended those (burgundy and yellow) of the Arizona State Sun Devils (ASU), in the suburbs of Phoenix. At the edge of the pool, their coach, Bob Bowman, does not take off his wine-colored t-shirt flocked with their emblem: an imp holding a trident in his hands.
Already a record for Marchand
For this first day dedicated to the relays, the dives follow one another in the water lines which measure only 22.86 m. A “paddling pool”, almost, next to the major international competitions in the 50m Olympic swimming pool. There are more turns, the races are shorter, the times are supersonic.
After a “warm-up” in breaststroke in the 4 × 50 yards medley, Léon Marchand impresses in the 4 × 200 yards freestyle by being the first in NCAA to go under the 1’29 mark. In two participations, the 21-year-old from Toulouse is already the most successful swimmer at his university (5 individually) even before he enters the running for his solo triptych: he must compete in the 500 yards final on Thursday, the 400 4N on Friday and the 200 breaststroke on Saturday.
“All the swimmers swim super fast in this competition because the standards are now very high, the competition is very dense,” insists Zhier Fan, 19, a sophomore at Stanford.
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