Léon Marchand Withdraws from World Swimming Championships for Health Reasons
French swimmer Léon Marchand has decided to withdraw from the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, citing exhaustion after a demanding year. National technical director Julien Issoulié praised the decision as wise and courageous. Marchand, 22, won four gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics and set new European and world records during the World Cup in Asia. He plans to focus on his well-being and future challenges, including the World Championships in Singapore in 2025.