Leon Marchand Fends Off Carson Foster for 400 IM Title at Fort Lauderdale Open
The achievements of Leon Marchand in the 400-meter individual medley are sensational. An Olympic gold medal. Three world championships. A world record. So, when Marchand topped the field in the event during Friday night action at the Fort Lauderdale Open, the outcome was hardly a surprise.
Coming off an impressive victory in the 200 butterfly on Thursday night, Marchand prevailed in the 400 IM with the fourth-fastest time in the world for 2026. The French star covered his eight lengths in 4:09.33, which supplied a victory over American Carson Foster, who was timed in 4:10.24. Foster charged down the last length of freestyle to narrow the gap to his training partner, but Marchand held on for the decision.
Almost two years after winning the Olympic title in the 400 medley, Marchand knows no current rival in the discipline. His world record stands at 4:02.50, with Foster (4:06.56) and Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita (4:06.93) standing as Marchand’s closest active pursuers. Matsushita was the silver medalist at the Paris Games in the 400 IM, while Foster claimed the bronze medal.
On Friday night, Marchand opened with a butterfly split of 55.22, compared to the 55.76 of Foster. The Frenchman’s lead widened on the backstroke leg, as Marchand made the halfway turn in 1:58.73, with Foster at 2:00.11. By the end of the breaststroke, Marchand was at 3:09.04, and Foster on 3:11.62. The closing freestyle leg saw Marchand split 1:00.29, with Foster cutting into his deficit with a finishing flourish of 58.62.
This summer, Marchand will compete at the European Championships on home soild, as Paris is scheduled to host the continental event. Meanwhile, Foster has qualified to represent Team USA at the Pan Pacific Championships.