The fans arrived in large numbers, many draped in flags and chanting Leon Marchand's name, filling La Defense Arena to its fullest and cheering the young Frenchman to a monumental gold medal victory. Among the spectators were Michael Phelps and the French Prime Minister, creating an atmosphere that felt like a sacred gathering for the devoted on the first Sunday of the Olympics. At times, the arena resembled a rock concert venue. Prior to Marchand's arrival, with the stadium in darkness, fans illuminated the terraces with their mobile phone screens and sang "La Marseillaise" to warm up. They didn't have to wait long for the main event, as Marchand's first race, the 400 meters individual medley, was the opening event. His appearance by the poolside sparked a deafening cheer from the crowd, which continued until he reached the starting block. The audience fell silent as he prepared to start, but erupted again as he sprang from the block and dominated his competitors.