With these key medals, the Eastern European nation climbed into the top 15 of the medal standings. It was a highly fruitful morning for the Hungarian delegation, although not without some nerve-wracking moments due to the choppy and chaotic waters of the iconic Parisian river.

Like a predator in the Pacific, Rasovszky seized control of the race at the 6.6-kilometre mark, leaving his rivals in his wake and holding onto the lead until he crossed the finish line. A finish line that proved too distant for four athletes who succumbed to the Seine’s relentless challenge.

Indeed, it was a nail-biting showdown. The German Oliver Klemet surged forward to secure the silver medal, finishing just two seconds behind Rasovszky. However, the real battle took place further back, where the pack of swimmers was much more varied and unpredictable, fighting for the bronze and the coveted Olympic diplomas.

Betlehem, a close friend and compatriot of the new Hungarian champion, snatched the bronze in a historic moment. It was the first time that two swimmers from the same National Olympic Committee stood on the podium in this aquatic discipline at the Olympic Games.

The race was brimming with anticipation from start to finish. A relatively renowned group of swimmers faced off in a setting that promised to bring out their best, thanks to the course’s complexity. The men’s open water marathon delivered a spectacle worthy of the Olympic move.

From the very first of the six laps, there was a sense of déjà vu, evoking the strategies and emotions from Tokyo 2020’s bay. However, this time, it wasn't a serene bay, but the iconic, albeit controversial, the River Seine.

The trio of open water swimming giants, Florian Wellbrock, Kristof Rasovszky, and Gregorio Paltrinieri, set a blistering pace from the start, leading the race with fierce determination. They quickly opened a significant gap, while competitors like Marc-Antoine Olivier and Domenico Acerenza struggled to keep up.

Having closely observed the women’s race the day before with Van Rouwendaal's victory, the favourites executed a clear strategy: take the lead as early as possible and hold it, knowing that coming from behind in the turbulent Seine would be nearly impossible, especially in the upstream sections.

The numbers tell the story. Florian Wellbrock, with his signature efficient style, completed the first 800 meters in 5:29.2. But it was in the second stretch, swimming against the current, where the challenge became apparent, as it took him 11:34.98 to cover the same distance. This disparity highlights the course's difficulty and the precision required to master it. And it was here that the "Shark of Balaton" truly shined.

Rasovszky, having honed his skills in the rivers of his hometown, earned his formidable nickname early on. The Veszprem native took the lead at the 2.5-kilometer mark in the open water marathon and never relinquished it. With a final time of 1:50:52.7, the Hungarian outpaced his rivals, who began to falter as the race progressed.

Florian Wellbrock, the gold medalist in Tokyo, finished 1:01.7 behind Rasovszky, while Gregorio Paltrinieri, who took bronze in the previous Games, completed the podium in third place. This time, the German who made it to the podium was Oliver Klemet, who finished second, just 2.1 seconds behind the champion, solidifying his status as a rising force in open water after his world title in Doha six months ago.

The real battle unfolded for the bronze, with Betlehem and Acerenza locked in a tight contest. Betlehem, known for his explosive finishing sprints, touched first, securing a one-two finish for Hungary, just six-tenths of a second ahead of the Italian. The promising Logan Fontaine, who had been consistently strong throughout the morning, left a mark for the host nation by finishing fifth.

It’s just a matter of waiting a few days to see if, with some luck, all competitors avoid the feared bacteria of the Seine. Though from the attack of the "Shark of Balaton," it’s certain no one emerged unscathed, especially those dreaming of gold in this final marathon swimming event of Paris 2024.