World Championships, Day 4 Prelims: Leon Marchand Debuts in 200 IM
At the Paris Olympics, it seemed like hardly a day passed without Leon Marchand being in the water – and thus winning gold medals, and taking calls from international dignitaries, etc. etc.
But the French all-conquering hero of last summer’s Olympics has dialed back his expansive program this summer at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore to focus on the individual medleys. With the changed program moving the 400 IM deeper into the week, that means Marchand has been a spectator for the first three days in Singapore. But that ends Wednesday morning, with Marchand contesting the 200 IM, where he has explicitly targeted the world record.
Marchand is the headliner of the morning session, which includes another backstroke race for medal-winning American women Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff, a duel between Kyle Chalmers and Pan Zhanle in the 100 free and the return of Summer McIntosh to the water in the women’s 200 butterfly. The session will conclude with the mixed medley relay prelims.
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Women’s 50 backstroke
The usual suspects are all assembled, minus the scratched Kaylee McKeown. Another veteran Kylie – Kylie Masse of Canada, led the way in 27.46 seconds. Katharine Berkoff of the U.S., fresh off a bronze in the 100, tied with China’s Wan Leitan for third in 27.59. Regan Smith, the silver medalist in the 100 back, was fifth in 27.67.
The second-fastest time was put in by Neutral Athelte Alina Gaifutdinova in 25.75. Ingrid Wilm was eighth to make it back, with Maaike de Waard ninth, Danielle Hill 10th, Roos Vanotterdijk 12th and Mary-Ambre Moluh 13th.
Just 0.51 seconds separated the 16 finalists, and a swim-off is required to cull that from 17 to 6. Lauren Cox of Great Britain and Mexico’s Celia Pulido tied for 16th in 27.97.
Men’s 100 freestyle
Men’s 200 individual medley
Women’s 200 butterfly
Mixed medley relay
