A year after the Paris Olympics, Léon Marchand continues his conquest of the world of sport With Nike, alongside his colleagues Kylian Mbappé and Victor Wembanyama
Exactly one year ago, Aya Nakamura took over the Pont Neuf with an iconic cover of Charles Aznavour, Céline Dion moved us to tears singing L’Hymne à l’amour from the top of the Eiffel Tower, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games kicked off with great fanfare. Today, athletes from around the world have left the capital months ago, yet the magical energy of a sporty summer still lingers in the walls of the City of Light. Not only because of the cauldron that held the Olympic flame now proudly standing in the center of the Jardin des Tuileries, but above all thanks to its athletes, who continue to shine. This is notably the case for young swimmer Léon Marchand, holder of four Olympic gold medals, who, one year after his aquatic achievements and a contract with Louis Vuitton, now signs with Nike, joining the elite group of global athletes of the Swoosh brand.
He joins his fellow Frenchmen Kylian Mbappé and Victor Wembanyama, who already represent for Nike and France a new generation of athletes unafraid to redefine the meaning of sport in 2025. With Léon on board, Nike reaffirms its commitment to supporting the industry's top leaders, taking a step further into the future and openness. A four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, Léon is a cornerstone in Nike’s evolution and commitment to innovation in service of athletes. At just 23 years old, Léon has already rewritten the narrative of swimming in his own way. A key figure of the Paris 2024 Olympics, winner of gold medals in the 200-meter breaststroke, butterfly and medley, as well as the 400-meter medley, he made a lasting impression not just in the water but also in front of the cameras, with his curious and alert personality. A true 360-degree star, who has managed to stay grounded and now continues his rise to success with a focused and level-headed mindset.
Léon’s partnership with Nike also comes at a pivotal moment. Alongside his fellow athletes and Nike ambassadors Kylian Mbappé and Victor Wembanyama—two of the most influential competitors of their era—Léon embodies a new generation of French athletes who transcend sport. Individually, they dominate their fields. Together, they represent a new winning mindset that is creative, committed, and future-focused. Furthermore, the announcement of Léon’s partnership reflects Nike’s 50-year legacy as a brand serving athletes, and its ongoing commitment to inspiring and uplifting the next generation through partnerships, innovation, and storytelling that help move the world forward through the power of sport. "It’s amazing for me, as a swimmer, to work with Nike to grow my sport among athletes and fans around the world," says Léon. "It’s a really exciting challenge for me, and I know that my partnership with Nike will help me make an impact in swimming for years to come."
