Marchand says not focused on Phelps's world record

FUKUOKA, Japan - French swim star Leon Marchand said Saturday that breaking Michael Phelps's last remaining world record at the world championships was not his focus but admitted it would be "pretty awesome".

Phelps's benchmark 400m individual medley time of 4min, 03.84sec has stood since the 2008 Beijing Olympics but Marchand has been tipped to beat it in his first race on Sunday in the southern Japanese city of Fukuoka.

The Frenchman, who is coached by Phelps's former mentor Bob Bowman, swam the second-fastest 400 IM ever at last year's world championships in Budapest, coming home in 4:04.28.

But he insisted that the record is not dominating his thoughts as he prepares for the race, saying that breaking it would be merely "a step in my journey".

"Whether it's done tomorrow or in a year, it doesn't change anything," said the 21-year-old, who has a fastest time of 4:07.80 so far this year.

"It's pretty awesome because it's Michael's last but that's not my main focus," he added.

"I'll try to do my best time and we'll see."

Marchand announced himself as a major player at last year's world championships, winning two gold medals and one silver in his competition debut.

He goes into this year's worlds as the defending champion in both the 200 and 400 IM.

He will also compete in the 200 butterfly, although his participation in the 200 breaststroke is still to be decided.

Marchand said that he is feeling "less stressed than before" as he prepares for the competition.

"The excitement of the competition remains the same, but with the competitions, I approach them differently each year, even each week," he said.

"I have evolved a lot and it's a new challenge, a new experience."

Marchand is set to be one of the faces of the Paris Olympics when he competes in his home country next year.

He had his first taste of the Olympic stage two years ago in Tokyo as a 19-year-old, but he said he was "in no hurry" for the Paris Games to begin.

"I really want to prepare myself as much as possible to be ready there, but I don't really have any expectations," he said.

"I know it will be fun." - AFP