Interviews after Léon's last 3 races at the French championships.
Day 3, after the 200m butterfly (1'55.79) :
" - 3rd title in three races, but you're still a long way off your best time. How did you feel?
- It wasn't crazy... I can't seem to relax enough in the first 100 metres. I'm really sin, in the bottom 50 (which means 'make lots of mistakes'), I was really tired today. OK, but I'm still in my best times, I think... more or less... but here I am 2 seconds off my 1'53, will have to improve a little (laughs).
- You love the 200m butterfly, and last year you were very proud to beat the historic French record of "King Esposito" several times [in fact, Léon said during the pro-series in April that 200 Butterfly is the hardest swim and the one he likes least]. In the back of your mind, are you thinking of one day going for the stratospheric mark of Christophe Milak, who is crushing the butterfly today?
- Yeah, why not... just now, I'm not going to talk too much because I'm 5 seconds away... (smiles) but... yes, why not, that's the goal, I don't think it's untouchable... I think there'll be a swimmer next to him soon, but I'll have to train harder and master it a bit more."
Day 4, after the 200m IM (1'56.25) :
" - A great race, just a second off your best time over the distance. How did it feel?
- er... it was a good race... I did my race, I was at line 5, I tried to concentrate on the technical parts. I think I did well in the backstroke, but the breaststroke was a bit off, and the crawl was quite difficult at the end. Well, now I'm happy, it's pretty good.
- You said a few days ago that you'd rather be the hunter than the hunted. Today it's the other way round, as evidenced by the standing ovation every time you enter the pool. How do you deal with that because there's obviously a bit more pressure today.
- I'm managing it quite well. I'm really pleased that people in France are interested in swimming at the moment. I like to be chased, I like to be waited for...It's going well, it's a bit of a challenge for me... and I'm preparing for the Olympic Games, so it's important for me too."
Day 5, after the 400m IM (4'10.57) :
" - This 5th title, quite simply, what analysis do you make of this race and the time, Léon .
- Well, I'm a bit disappointed with the final time... I wanted to go under 4'10 this evening. It's not an easy race, especially with 5 days to go... So that's it, I'm going to analyse it with my coach and see what we can do better next time.
- How do you feel physically? Are you feeling the burn after 5 days of competition? There's still one more competition tomorrow, the 100 butterfly (Léon is going to withdraw later).
-oh yeah... it's not easy, I don't think I'm in the best shape of my life at the moment because... well, from the first 50m it starts to draw (to tire) (he laughs)... when you know there's 400m to go, it's complicated... and well... I've managed to qualify for all the races... so there you go... it's perfect (but he looks more disappointed than he lets on)."
- Thank you Léon, congrats.