Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Michael Phelps reacts to Leon Marchand magic - ‘Probably the greatest double I’ve ever seen’

Michael Phelps was among the big names to react to Leon Marchand's stunning Olympic double on Wednesday night in Paris. The Frenchman won the men's 200m butterfly before returning to the pool and taking gold in the men's 200m breaststroke to cap off an extraordinary evening in swimming. Marchand will have a chance to clinch a fourth gold medal of the games in the 200m medley final on Friday.

American great Michael Phelps was among those to laud Leon Marchand after the Frenchman became the first swimmer to claim two individual Olympic gold medals in one night since 1976.

Nobody had ever won the men’s 200m butterfly and breaststroke until Marchand achieved the feat under the impassioned glare of a feverish home crowd inside the La Defense Arena. Not even Phelps.

Each stroke he made was greeted with an 'Allez' but where some might crumble under that weight of expectancy, Marchand rose with the noise.

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The poster boy of the Paris 2024 Games delivered when it mattered most to etch his name into the history books and ensure he will forever be spoken about among the greats of the sport.

He produced a stunning last 50m to catch and pass Hungary’s Kristof Malik for 200m butterfly glory before returning less than two hours later to dominate the 200m breaststroke final.

“That's probably the greatest double I've ever seen in the history of the sport,” Phelps told US broadcaster NBC.

'Spectacular!' - Marchand storms to stunning gold in 200m butterfly as French fans go wild

Video credit: TNT Sports

“To be able to go 1:52 and 2:05, the kid can obviously swim, we know that, and if we didn't know it before, he's gonna be here for a long time. He's gonna make a lot of noise.”

Whether he will be able to match the 23 golds Phelps amassed during his career remains to be seen, but he has made some start.

Coached by Bob Bowman, former mentor of Phelps, Marchand is three-for-three in Olympic finals in his short career.

The 22-year-old will return for the 200m medley final on Friday and you’d be brave to bet against him maintaining that record.

Watch as Phelps left in awe as Marchand chases greatness

Video credit: TNT Sports

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