Each time the 22-year-old swimmer Léon Marchand dives in a pool to compete, France holds its breath. And each time he wins a medal — he has won an astonishing total of five, with four individual golds — screams of joy ring out in the streets and from cafés and bars. In Olympics venues across Paris, athletes have had to pause to let the fervour pass so they can recommence their own events.
“King Léon”, as the press has anointed him, has been the breakout star of the Olympics for the French. The soft-spoken Toulouse native has inspired the public to abandon their pre-Games Gallic grumpiness and replace it with a frenzied enthusiasm for Les Bleus.
The apocalyptic scenarios forecast by many before the Games (including me) did not happen: the transport system has not collapsed, tourists are here in droves and no terrorist attacks have occurred, although prudence is in order until August 11.