France's Lon Marchand broke the world record in the200-metre individual medley at the world championships in Singapore on Wednesday, breaking the 2011 record set by US swimmer Ryan Lochte.
French swimmerLon Marchandbroke the world record in the 200-metre individual medley on Wednesday at the world championships inSingapore, clocking 1 minute 52.61 seconds to surpass the 1:54.00set in 2011 by American Ryan Lochte.
He set the markswimmingin the semifinals and, in theory, could break it again in Thursdays finals.
"Actually I can't believe it right now," Marchand said.
"I knew I was going to be close to my PB (personal best) because I felt really good today and preparation has been pretty good.
"But 1:52 is unbelievable for me."
Read moreOlympic champion Marchand to focus on medleys at worlds
The French champion took an extended break from swimming after his Paris Olympics heroics and only returned to competition in May.
Marchand won four Olympic gold medals a year ago in Paris, but is only swimming the 200 and 400 medley and relays in Singapore. He has said that planning the lighter schedule in what he calls a transition year will keep him fresh to chase the world marks.
Marchand will swim the 400 IM on Sunday, the final day of the world championships. He holds that record of 4:02.50 set in the 2023 worlds in Fukuoka,Japan.
Originally published on France24
