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Leon Marchand Passes Michael Phelps In 200 Fly All-Time Rankings, Swims Olympic Record 1:51.21

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – FINAL

  1. Leon Marchand (France) – 1:51.21 (Olympic Record)
  2. Kristof Milak (Hungary) – 1:51.75
  3. Ilya Kharun (Canada) – 1:52.80
  4. Krzysztof Chmielewski (Poland) – 1:53.90
  5. Noe Ponti (Switzerland) – 1:54.14
  6. Mertin Espernberger (Austria) – 1:54.17
  7. Kregor Zirk (Estonia) – 1:54.55
  8. Alberto Razzetti (Italy) – 1:54.85

Leon Marchand swam to a new Olympic Record and French Record with a 1:51.21. That broke Kristof Milak‘s record of a 1:51.25 from the 2020 Tokyo Games. Marchand also broke his own French Record that stood at a 1:52.43 that he swam at the 2023 World Championships for gold.

Marchand also passes Michael Phelps in the all-time performer of the event as Marchand now sits at #2 all-time.

Split Comparison

Marchand- 2024
Milak -2020
Marchand- 2023 Worlds
50 24.96 24.48 25.42
100 28.5 29 28.17
150 28.78 28.67 29.56
200 28.97 29.1 29.28
1:51.21 1:51.25 1:52.43

Marchand was much faster on his second 100 today than he was to win the event at the 2023 World Championships. He had a huge underwater on the final 50 today, helping push him past Milak and earn the win.

Marchand previously sat at #3 all-time with his previous best time but now passes Phelps, whose 1:51.51 stood as the World Record for about 13 years until Milak broke the record in 2022.

Men’s 200 Fly All-Time Performers

  1. Kristof Milak, 1:50.34 (2022)
  2. Leon Marchand 1:51.21 (2024)
  3. Michael Phelps, 1:51.51 (2009)

Marchand’s 200 fly was the first of his two finals tonight as he also enters as the top seed in the 200 breaststroke, which will take place at the end of the session.

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Joe
3 months ago

For someone that’s been outside of the pool for months, it’s a great achievement for Milak, that’s why he faded the last 50,

oldnotdead
3 months ago

Fact check: Milak first broke the record at 2019 WC, and again at 2022 WC.

CasualSwimmer
3 months ago

You can’t achieve such a great race without at least two extremely talented swimmers ! I really hope Milak’s will be able to move away quietly from Hungerian media and finds a nice place in the sun with a supportive staff

Gavi
3 months ago

Too bad the pool seems a bit slow…
Otherwise, I feel like the frog would have broken at least 2 WR (400 medley and 200 breast)…

Paul H
3 months ago

Did Phelps or Milak EVER split sub-29 on the last 50m?

Has anyone before?

Beach Boy
Reply to  Paul H
3 months ago

Yeah. MP has and others too.

Sapiens Ursus
Reply to  Paul H
3 months ago

Yes but I think this is the first in a sub 1:53 swi.

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Paul H
3 months ago

Dressel has, but en route to a 1:56

‘Murica
Reply to  bobthebuilderrocks
3 months ago

In-season, if we’re including all qualifiers.

Outside Smoke
3 months ago

As a Canadian I thought it was strange how Byron kept saying Marchand looked like he was going all-out in the prelims and semis on the CBC feed. Are we watching the same swimmer?

Bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Outside Smoke
3 months ago

Dude, people were saying Marchand was fading the final 50 of the semifinals. Wild comments were made

bobthebuilderrocks
3 months ago

CALLED IT

HeatFan14
3 months ago

Delete

Last edited 3 months ago by HeatFan14

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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