Leon Marchand's awkward medal moment comes to light after Kyle Chalmers drama at the Olympics

The swimming world has been left in shock after Leon Marchand appeared to brush past a rival coach after yet another historic performance at his home Olympics, only days after Kyle Chalmers was dragged into a storm with his rival. Marchand entered the Paris Olympics with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, but the French superstar will go down as the success story of the summer having won his fourth individual gold medal.

Having already won the 400m medley, 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke in Paris the Frenchman headed into the 200m individual medley looking at creating history. The crowd was electric at the La Defence Arena with 15,000 fans, including President Emmanuel Macron in attendance, as Marchand lined-up on the blocks.

And the 22-year-old superstar left fans in awe as he put an effortless distance between himself and the field on the breaststroke leg to win the 200m individual medley with an Olympic record. Marchand held up four fingers after the win, gesturing at his four gold medals in the pool at the Paris Olympics. Britain’s Duncan Scott won silver, while China’s Wang Shun grabbed third place.

While Marchand was widely praised for his brilliant performance, one moment certainly caused uproar. Chinese fans were left questioning Marchand as he appeared to brush past Wang's coach Zhi Zhigen after the medal ceremony. Footage shows Zhi putting out his hand to congratulate the Frenchman, before Marchand ducks under a security rope and appears to walk right past him.

Zhi made it very clear he was extending his hand and it is unclear if Marchand did acknowledge him when he went right past him. Regardless, fans were left fuming at Marchand with the French star called out on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform.

The move comes after Aussie silver medallist Kyle Chalmers defended himself after comments from Chinese rival and 100m freestyle gold medallist Pan Zhanle. The Chinese star crushed the 100m freestyle field to win gold in the only world record set in the pool at this year's Olympics.

After the race, Pan reportedly told Chinese media that he'd been disrespected by several rival swimmers. Chalmers one of them. However, Chalmers has defended himself and claimed he showed respect towards Pan throughout the Olympics. Pan's gold medal swim in the 100m freestyle is so far the only world record in the Paris pool, which has been widely criticised for being slower than usual.

Leon Marchand makes Olympics history in the pool

Marchand now becomes only the fourth swimmer in Olympics history to win four individual gold medals at a games. He joins an illustrious group with swimming icon Michael Phelps achieving the feat in both 2004 and 2008; Mark Spitz in 1972; and East German Kristin Otto in 1988.

“I don't think anything went wrong this week,” Marchand said after the race. “It was just perfect.” When told about the illustrious group he had joined after winning his fourth individual gold, Marchand was taken aback.

“That's crazy. Those guys are legends,” Marchand said. “I don’t think I have realised it yet. Maybe I will in a few days."

Leon Marchand celebrations delay athletics event

Marchand will most likely go down as the face of the Paris Olympics for the home nation having united the country. And his success has been widely celebrated.

The Stade de France was hosting the first night of the track and field events at the Olympics when Marchand was swimming the 200m individual medley. And the announcer declared Marchand had won his fourth gold.

RELATED:

• Aussie swim stars make Olympic history in epic golden double in Paris

• Aussie BMX racer's tearful reveal about family after historic gold

And 80,000 fans at the Stade de France erupted in wild celebrations. The noise was so loud the decathlon event was delayed for the athletes because the stadium was so loud. Fans were seen watching the event on their phones and chanting Marchand's name.