Swimming | World record with repercussions in German swimming

Lukas Märtens is still amazed when he thinks back on the past six months. Since his Olympic victory a year ago in Paris, the Magdeburg native's life has changed noticeably: media hype, honors, vacations – and two nose surgeries. The 23-year-old only returned to regular training in January. "After that, you could see how quickly the season picked up again," Märtens tells nd – adding almost incredulously: "Although I don't really feel any particular pressure." A privilege he owes to his Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle.

But the combination of inner calm and newfound maturity soon paid off spectacularly: On April 12, Märtens made a historic statement at the Swim Open in Stockholm. In 3:39.89 minutes, he beat the 15-year-old world record held by his compatriot Paul Biedermann – the one from the era of high-tech suits – by eleven hundredths of a second. "We really couldn't have expected a time like that," commented his home trainer Bernd Berkhahn in astonishment. And even Märtens himself needed a moment to grasp what he had achieved. Since that Saturday, he has been the first person ever to complete the eight-length freestyle in under 3:40 minutes.

Congratulations from dethroned record holder Biedermann weren't long in coming, and a meeting between the new world record holder and his former idol is already planned. "Unfortunately, that hasn't worked out yet," Märtens says regretfully. Both are very busy, and a date hasn't been agreed upon yet. "But I'm sure it will work out someday."

However, the next big event is confirmed: On Sunday morning, Märtens's hunt for another medal begins at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Germany's current best pool swimmer will step onto the starting block for the first time – in his signature discipline. The Paris Olympic champion is expected to give the German team a boost for the upcoming World Championship week in the pool with a medal – ideally gold.

"That's worked well in the past," says Märtens confidently. He has already regularly won a medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the opening event of the championships at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest (silver), 2023 in Fukuoka, and 2024 in Doha (bronze each time).

Nevertheless, the Magdeburg native has long been looking ahead – also with a view to the structural challenges facing German swimming. Since this year, pool swimmers have had to make do with reduced federal funding – despite the Olympic successes of Märtens and his training colleague Isabel Gose, who won bronze in the 1500 meters in Paris.

Märtens himself has felt little of the cuts so far. The regular altitude training camps of his Magdeburg training group continue to be fully funded. But one thing is clear: successes like his Olympic victory – the first by a German swimmer over a pool distance since Michael Groß and Uwe Daßler in 1988 – should enable greater public funding in the future. Accordingly, Märtens sees himself as on a kind of permanent mission in his still young career.

"As an association, we try to bring new names into the game through such successes. I started doing that in pool swimming last year," he emphasizes – and adds combatively: "There's definitely more to come."

For Märtens, the World Championships in Singapore are more than just a 400-meter freestyle: In addition to his signature event, he'll also compete in the 800-meter freestyle, the 200-meter backstroke, and two relay races. Despite all the records and medals, the ardent supporter of 1. FC Magdeburg is still waiting for his first world championship title.

The enforced break last year allowed the freestyle specialist to mature. "Partying with friends or just messing around – that's sometimes been neglected in recent years," he reflects. The relaxation phase in autumn 2024 ultimately culminated in a world record in spring 2025. Swimming fans will be eagerly following whether Märtens can replicate his April peak form in Singapore starting Sunday.