Why Bob Bowman, former coach for U.S., Michael Phelps, is pulling for France at Paris Olympics

Bob Bowman might not be a name most Americans know, but they’re quite familiar with his work, even if unaware. And Bowman’s work includes coaching Michael Phelps and the United States swim team through four Olympics.

So why, then, is the longtime United States swim coach supporting France at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

That’s pretty simple. He also coached one of the top French swimmers, one who is quickly becoming something of a local sensation: Leon Marchand.

Bowman and Marchand’s paths crossed over during one season at Arizona State, with Bowman coaching and the Frenchman in the pool, guiding the Sun Devils to a first-ever NCAA title. Bowman has since taken the head coaching role at Texas.

And watching Marchand win gold in the 400 meter medley was just as meaningful to Bowman as his work with the Americans over the years.

“It was incredible. I’ve never really been at anything like that. So it was great, it was fantastic. I actually did tear up a little bit right at the end, everyone was so happy,” Bowman said in an interview with The Associated Press.

And Bowman likened Marchand to many of the Americans that he’s coached throughout the years, mostly his ability to quiet the noise and expectations and just compete.

“Very few people can go into that environment and perform at that level, I mean very few,” Bowman said. “I’ve been lucky to be around a couple of them. It takes something that you can’t coach. You can prepare ’em but they have to have something inside that gets them in the right mindset and be able to do that.”

Going forward, Bowman will certainly be in Marchand’s corner at these Olympics as the French sensation chases more medals in front of the raucous home crowds. He’s still set to contend for the 200 butterfly, among other races.

And Bowman will be there all the way, an American swimming legend turned French partisan for at least these Olympic games, and perhaps more to come as Marchand continues his rise in top-level swimming.

“It was actually far beyond my expectations of what he would do in that. He was just completely relaxed and normal all week before, the whole time,” Bowman said. “I think it says he kind of knows who he is and what he’s about. He’s very secure, and he’s quite humble and down to earth, and I think you just see that coming through.”