David Popovici Becomes First Romanian Man To Win Gold At An Olympics After 200 Free Win

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

MEN’S 200-METER FREESTYLE – FINALS

  1. David Popovici (ROU) – 1:44.72
  2. Matt Richards (GBR) – 1:44.74
  3. Luke Hobson (USA) – 1:44.79
  4. Duncan Scott (GBR) – 1:44.87
  5. Lukas Martens (GER) – 1:45.46 (TIE)
  6. Danas Rapsys (LTU) – 1:45.46 (TIE)
  7. Macimillian Giuliani (AUS) – 1:45.57
  8. Katsuhiro Matsumoto (JPN) – 1:46.26

David Popovici of Romania became the first Romanian man to win gold in Olympic swimming on Monday night, capturing gold in the men’s 200 freestyle in a 1:44.72 in his win.

Popovici also became the first Romanian to win any medal since 2004 when Camelia Potec won gold in the women’s 200 freestyle and Razvan Florea won bronze in the men’s 200 backstroke.

The race was also revenge for the teenager after he just missed the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Games with a 4th place finish in a 1:44.68. That time was a National Record at the time.

Popovici’s best time stands at a 1:42.97 which he swam back in 2022. That time stands as the World Junior Record and made him the #3 performer in history. His season best stands at a 1:43.13 from last month at the European Championships.

All-Time 200 Freestyle Performers

  1. Paul Biedermann (GER) – 1:42.00 (2009)
  2. Michael Phelps (USA) – 1:42.96 (2008)
  3. David Popovici (ROU) – 1:42.97 (2022)
  4. Yannick Agnel (FRA) – 1:43.14 (2012)
  5. Danila Izotov (RUS) – 1:43.90 (2009)

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DEACONU Julia
43 minutes ago

We are proud of you…CONGRATS!!

Oana
1 hour ago

This article is full of inaccuracies. Please check your facts.

Swim
Reply to  Oana
1 hour ago

Wonderful to comment this but not specify what facts you believe are “wrong”

Swim
Reply to  Swim
1 hour ago

Because everything seems right

David Clossey
2 hours ago

I think this race and the 100 breast from last night show how much times really DONT matter when it comes to a race being super enjoyable to watch.

In this race you had Martens going out and holding the lead for 150 before falling to 5th, Hobson flipping at 8th,7th, and 4th before getting bronze, and the medals all being decided by 7 hundredths in the last few meters.

IASAS Swim
3 hours ago

This pool is so slow that Popovici swam the 200 faster in Tokyo than in Paris💀

Megan
Reply to  IASAS Swim
2 hours ago

To be fair, his time in the semis was faster than in Tokyo. But yes, it is a slow pool apparently b/c it’s too shallow.

Riccardo
3 hours ago

This time would not win since 2000.

Thorpe was one hundredth faster in 2004.

Insane.

Dragos
3 hours ago

Now let’s get that 100m one as well, David ! you can do it !

Old Swim Dad
3 hours ago

Thought our boy Hobson was gonna do it

Jimbo
Reply to  Old Swim Dad
55 minutes ago

Hobson’s personal best by 0.1. In the slow pool. No one works/ tries harder.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022 and 2023 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. Currently, Anya is pursuing her B.A. in Economics and a minor in Government & Law at …

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