It was French sensation Leon Marchand who left the audience at the Paris Games in realms of absolute disbelief by securing his second gold medal of the day in the 200m breaststroke, setting a record time of 2:05.85 to shatter the earlier Olympic record.
The victories by Marchand were one of the most spectacular events in swimming, where one swimmer captured two gold medals in an Olympic evening competition for the first time since 1976. Within a span of two hours, he captured not only two Olympic golds but also brought down two reigning champions while setting two new Olympic records.
First, he won the 200m butterfly ahead of reigning champion and current world record holder Kristof Milak, 22, of Hungary. Barely over an hour later, he was back in the pool to win the 200m breaststroke, subsequently claiming a third gold to add to his impressive Games haul.
He became the first French swimmer to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games, all won in front of an enthusiastic home crowd of more than 15,000 at the Paris La Defense Arena.
The silver went to defending Olympic champion Australia's Zac Stubblety-Cook in the 200m breaststroke, who finished in 2:06.79. Marchand of France had already won it, his record-breaking mark 0.94 seconds ahead.
The bronze medal was taken by Netherlands' Caspar Corbeau with 2:07.90.
Stubblety-Cook's best from Tokyo 2020 was outclassed by a stellar swim from Marchand.
The bronze was taken by Netherlands' Caspar Corbeau, who ended with a time of 2:07.90.
