SINGAPORE AP - Leon Marchand's life changed drastically after he won four gold medals a year ago in the Paris Olympics. He was a national hero and had to adjust - particularly when he was at home in France.
"I have to plan things," Marchand explained Saturday. "I can't just go on my own in the city and just go get bread."
"I know how to say 'no' better," he added. "It gets a lot more peaceful when I travel out of France."
After swimming under the tutelage of Bob Bowman at the University of Texas at Austin, Marchand is back and will head the field at the swimming world championships - the biggest meet since the Olympics.
It's also the stepping stone for many toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with races in the pool starting Sunday and running through Aug. 3.