Marchand is 'exhausted' and withdraws from short course swimming worlds

FILE - Leon Marchand from France competes in a men’s 4x100-meter medley relay heat at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

PARIS (AP) — Léon Marchand won’t compete at the short course swimming world championships next month.

The four-time Olympic champion from France said on Saturday he needs rest after an intense year.

The 22-year-old Marchand won five medals — four of them gold — at the Paris Olympics this summer.

“I’ve done a lot of big competitions and I’m exhausted,” Marchand said. “It’s time for me to step back, train hard and start preparing future challenges. I know you will understand and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

The short course worlds are scheduled from Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.

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Marchand is ‘exhausted’ and withdraws from short course swimming worlds

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