Elite swimming is a game of nanoseconds. Shedding 1000th of a second off a time can make the difference between a podium and a gold medal. This pursuit of perfection meets its gold standard through dogged dedication and precision. 

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps holds 23 gold medals, making him the most decorated American to date. Now retired, he’s passed a metaphoric baton to Frenchman Léon Marchand, who shares the same legendary coach as Phelps, Bob Bowman. Recently, Marchand broke Phelps’ long-standing World Record in the 400-meter individual medley. 

Their record-breaking journeys are measured in nanoseconds, and their achievements require meticulous measurement—which is made possible by OMEGA timekeeping. The two swimming phenoms, both OMEGA ambassadors, sat down recently ahead of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris to discuss their latest achievements, the importance of precision timekeeping, and more.

When and how did you both meet for the first time?

Marchand: The first time was in Fukuoka at the World Champs. I’d just finished my 400M in the preliminaries before the final. Michael was in the stands, and he called me over. It was the first time I’d met him, and he said, “Go get it tonight.” He was excited for me. I felt really good after the prelims. I’d met a legend, and I was ready to go. 

Phelps: I said, “Yeah dude, just rip one tonight.” We’d messaged back and forth on Instagram months before. I’d even been at the pool for a few meets at ASU where Léon trained, but we’d still never met. It was crazy. So, actually, the first time we chatted was in Fukuoka. Obviously, I hear everything that he’s doing from Bob Bowman. Coach is grandpa to my kids. He’s kind of like a dad to me, so I knew what Léon was going through just based off his training. I just said to him, “See what you can do. Records are meant to be broken.” This was the kid that was going to break my record, there was no doubt about it.

​​Of course, now we know that Marchand did break Phelps’ World Record. Take us through your different emotions in that moment. 

Phelps: To be honest, I was trying to hold it for 20 years. So I got there. I can say I hold the longest-standing swimming World Record. That’s something really cool. But in Léon’s race, as soon as he turned with 100 to go, and he was a body length ahead of the record, I knew he wasn’t going to fade. I knew it was going to get broken, I just didn’t know when. 

Marchand: I’d been watching the video of Michael’s World Record a lot. The one from Beijing. I knew it was an amazing swim, and it was a dream to maybe come close to that. I remember when I touched the finish, I knew I’d broken it because I just felt really good. The entire pool was cheering for me, so I thought, “Alright, that’s it. I think I did it.” I took my time to turn around and look at the OMEGA scoreboard. I couldn’t believe it. I remember feeling really present in my life right at that moment. 

Phelps: That was my last-standing individual World Record, but we’re keeping it in the family with Bob and Léon. So it couldn’t have gone to a better person.

‍What’s the secret to gaining a split-second advantage? 

Marchand: I was watching a documentary about Michael and Bob a few years ago, and it was all about the underwater. It showed how good Michael was at going faster underwater. He was explaining how you could escape from the waves, the surface, at every turn. Just go deeper, push deeper at the wall, and work under the water more than usual. At the time, I was already quite comfortable in the water, but it wasn’t really working. So three or four years ago, I started repeating my underwater every day at practice. Every lap. Every turn. Eventually, those became split-second differences.

Phelps: I can echo exactly what Léon just said. Every single day, our coach Bob is giving us certain challenges to prepare us for the moment those lights come on. The most pressured situations. That’s why Léon and I have been able to rise above the rest. Because Bob has literally put us through every possible situation. So, if there’s a race that comes down to a touch, you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be one of us that’s going to win that race. It’s because of the repetitions that you do every single day.

You’ve both had OMEGA Timekeeping throughout your careers. What does that precision and reliability mean to the athletes?

Marchand: I don’t think I could do a sport where I get judged by someone. I think it’s just amazing to have this precise timekeeping because you remove any injustice or unfairness. We can just accept the victories. The results don’t lie. That’s the numbers. And I do really think it helps the sport overall to make it better and faster.

Phelps: That photo of me winning a race by a 100th of a second against Cavic, they were able to go down to the 1,000th of a second just to prove it. It’s the best timing on the planet. I’ve won every one of my Olympic medals through OMEGA timekeeping. I guess I’m extremely biased, but they’re the best. From the year 2000 to 2020, we’ve been able to see so many different improvements that have really benefited the sport.

One recent innovation from OMEGA is the measurement of live data—such as the number of strokes, the live positions, and even acceleration. Do you think this data

will help coaches and athletes in the sport?

Marchand: I think the data can allow us to improve our technique or movement. It’s all about detail. If we get that information, we can improve some things. We can improve the quality of our practice and use it to get faster. I think it’s definitely helping the sport.

Phelps: For me, I think it really shows where our deficiencies are. As Léon was saying, when you look at acceleration, for example, you’re able to break it down into bigger details. You can look at stroke control, you can look at the distance for stroke, all of these fine things. I’m kind of a geek in that way. The more knowledge I have, and the more information I have, then I’m going to use it to my advantage. I think it’s truly a game-changer. And then from a broadcast perspective, again, I’m a nerd with that stuff. If I see somebody slowing down, and somebody else is saying they’re gonna win, that’s something I can easily point out with the data. It’s all the small details that the public don’t see.

Do you have a favorite OMEGA watch?

Marchand: I really like the new Speedmaster Chronoscope. The one created for Paris 2024.

Phelps: That thing is unreal. As soon as it went online, I instantly started screenshotting it and putting it on my wish list. I guess I’m a big Speedmaster guy, and I love anything gold or Sedna Gold. The CK 2998, I have that one. It’s a Limited Edition and it has my son’s name engraved on the back. But then, I can’t forget my all-time favorite—my own Planet Ocean. As a kid growing up, I never thought that I would have a watch created in my name.

Marchand: I think I love Speedmasters the most. I am wearing the Speedmaster Moonwatch now, and I love it.

Written by Isaac Dektor