Léon Marchand near Michael Phelp's "unbeatable" world record

On August 10, 2008, American Michael Phelps swam the 400 meter medley in the time of 4.03.84.

Since then, no one has swum faster, which makes the record the record that has stood the longest of all long-distance records.

In fact, only one record in total is older than Phelps, namely Grant Hackett's 800-meter freestyle record, which was set three weeks before Phelps' record.

Second through the ages

But today it was not far off that Phelps got rid of the record.

The 20-year-old Frenchman Léon Marchand swam in the European record time of 4.04.28 - and is thus second through the times in the distance.

- It feels incredible!

I think I have not understood it yet, but my time is completely crazy!

4.04, haha!

I was not prepared for that, but I train every day so this is a good price for me, he says to SVT Sport, with a big smile on his face.

What did you think when you saw the time?

- I thought I could do 4.07, maybe 4.06, but 4.04 - I was not ready for that, haha.

I hope that in the next competition I can push it further.