אליפות אירופה בשחייה: צרפת מגיעה לגמר 4x200 מטר עם לאון מארשנד שיתחרה

Monday 10 August 2026 - 10:26

צרפת secured a place in the men's 4x200-metre freestyle relay final at the European Swimming Championships, ensuring that four-time Olympic champion Léon Marchand will make his first appearance at the competition on Monday evening.

The French quartet recorded the seventh-fastest time in the morning heats, finishing in 7 minutes, 9.33 seconds to advance to the final.

The result means Marchand will have the opportunity to compete despite recently withdrawing from the individual 200m and 400m individual medley events.

Marchand set for first race of the championships

Marchand had been expected to be one of France's leading figures at the European championships, but his programme changed after he pulled out of both individual medley races.

The relay now gives the Olympic champion his first opportunity to enter the competition.

The final is scheduled for Monday evening at the Olympic Aquatics Centre, with the race due to begin at 7:33 p.m. local time.

For Marchand, the relay represents a chance to contribute to the French team while returning to competitive action in a different event.

France advances after seventh-fastest qualifying time

France completed the heats in 7:09.33, a performance good enough to secure one of the eight places in the final.

Roman Fuchs, the most experienced member of the quartet at 28, led a relatively young group that also included 18-year-old Néo Dutriaux, 20-year-old Pierre Largeron and 16-year-old Sauveur Cristofini.

Fuchs acknowledged that the French team could have produced a faster time but said the swimmers had made the most of the resources available to them.

The seventh-place qualifying time means France will start the final from outside the central positions, potentially leaving the quartet with a demanding task against the fastest qualifiers.

A different route for Marchand

The relay appearance comes only days after Marchand withdrew from the 200m and 400m individual medley competitions.

His decision meant that one of the biggest names in international swimming would have a reduced individual programme at the championships. The 4x200m relay, however, gives him an opportunity to compete alongside younger French teammates and contribute to the national team's medal ambitions.

Attention will now turn to Monday night's final, where France will attempt to improve on its morning performance and challenge the leading teams over the eight-lane final.