4x Olympic gold medalist Leon Marchand extinguished the cauldron at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also carried the Olympic flame as he extinguished the cauldron and now makes his way into the stadium for the closing ceremony with the flame.
The cauldron was located at the Tuileries Gardens, located outside of the Louvre Museum in the heart of Paris. Marchand extinguished the cauldron that was lit using LED lighting and smoke instead of a traditional flame. He then carried the Olympic flame which was in a gold, glass lantern, and made his way to the Stade de France stadium which is home to the closing ceremony.
Marchand was originally expected to be a flag bearer for the French delegation but rugby gold medalist Antoine Dupont was announced as the male flag bearer for France alongside Pauline Ferrand-Prevot.
The 22 year old made history at the Olympics in numerous ways. He became the first swimmer to ever win gold in the men’s 200 butterfly and 200 breaststroke, doing so in the same night with the “dirty double” in the process.
Not only did he win four gold medals, but he also set new Olympic Records in the process as well. He swam Olympic Records in the 200 breast, 200 fly, 200 IM, and 400 IM. He also sits at #2 all-time in the 200 fly, 200 breast, and 200 IM and holds the World Record in the 400 IM.
Marchand saw a large increase in his Instagram following during the last two weeks. He began the Olympics with around 200,000 followers and now has over 1.3million.
