The international press was full of praise for David Popovici (21 years old) after his victory in the 200m freestyle at the European Swimming Championships in Paris. “More than ever, the king of the sprint”, was written on the website of the French daily “L’Equipe”.
It was highlighted that the dynamist clearly prevailed in the 200 m free after winning the 100 m free. “In the end, the result is always the same: a gold medal for David Popovici. After the extremely close duel with Egor Kornev on Wednesday in the 100m freestyle, the Romanian sprinter had a slightly bigger advantage on Friday in the 200m freestyle. He won with a time of 1:44.15, ahead of the surprising Lithuanian Tomas Navikonis (1:44.55), in lane No. 1, and the British James Guy (1:44.87). The German Lukas Martens disappointed, finishing only in 7th place. Popovici took the lead from the beginning of the race.”
The statement that the Romanian gave to France Télévisions was also inserted: “I would have preferred to swim faster”.
The victory of our swimmer was also welcomed on the Facebook page of the club to which he is registered, Dinamo: “David Popovici – COMPLETE work! Gold medal in the 200 meters freestyle at the European Championship in Paris, with 1:44.15. Perfect triple in the last editions: 100-200 m freestyle! He is the first athlete in the history of swimming to achieve this performance. The king is ROMANIAN! Well done, David! Thank you again!”
“INCREDIBLE!”, European Aquatics also reacted after David Popovici won the third consecutive gold in the 200 m freestyle: “David Popovici repeats the performance! The third consecutive European title in the 200 m freestyle. INCREDIBLE!”.
And on the Facebook page of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, the success was greeted with the same enthusiasm: “Historical GOLD…DAVID POPOVICI, at the European Championships in Paris! With the GOLD conquered tonight in the 200m freestyle, at the European Championships in Paris, David Popovici became the first swimmer in the world to win DOUBLE GOLD, in the 100m and 200m freestyle, in three consecutive editions of the continental competitions – Rome 2022, Belgrade 2024 and Paris 2026!! Olympic champion, also in Paris 2024, David led in the European 200m final from start to finish and, despite the attack of the British James Guy on the second length of the pool, David won with a time of 1:44.15, being followed in the final ranking by Tomas Navikonis, 1:44.55, and by the British, 1:44.87. Congratulations, David! Come on, ROMANIA.”
Popovici’s award as Europe’s best swimmer in 2025 was also hailed: “The charismatic David Popovici was the hero again tonight. At the end of the day, European Aquatics awarded him the trophy for Europe’s best swimmer in 2025 in a ceremony officiated by the president of the continental swimming forum Antonio Silva. David Popovici’s outstanding performances in 2025 were rewarded and applauded on the open stage! David, trained by Adrian Rădulescu, won two gold medals at the World Championships in Singapore, in the 100 m (46.51 s – new competition record, new European record and new national record) and 200 m free, and at the European Youth Championships in Samorin he won three medals: two gold (100 m free and 200 m free) and a bronze (50 m free). Next to the Romanian swimmer, who will turn 22 on September 15, was the Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen. Congratulations, David Popovici, Adrian Rădulescu and the entire technical team behind these outstanding performances that amazed the swimming world!”
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