2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES
- Pool Swimming: July 27 – August 4, 2024
- Open Water Swimming: August 8 – 9, 2024
- La Défense Arena — Paris, France
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Full Swimming Schedule
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- How To Watch
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- Prelims Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
- Finals Live Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
MEN’S 200-METER FREESTYLE – FINALS
- World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
- World Junior Record: 1:42.97 – David Popovici, ROU (2022)
- Olympic Record: 1:42.96 – Michael Phelps, USA (2008)
- 2021 Winning Time: 1:44.22 – Tom Dean, GBR
- 2021 Bronze Medal Time: 1:44.66
- David Popovici (ROU) – 1:44.72
- Matt Richards (GBR) – 1:44.74
- Luke Hobson (USA) – 1:44.79
- Duncan Scott (GBR) – 1:44.87
- Lukas Martens (GER) – 1:45.46 (TIE)
- Danas Rapsys (LTU) – 1:45.46 (TIE)
- Macimillian Giuliani (AUS) – 1:45.57
- 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 last month at the European Championships.
All-Time 200 Freestyle Performers
- Paul Biedermann (GER) – 1:42.00 (2009)
- Michael Phelps (USA) – 1:42.96 (2008)
- David Popovici (ROU) – 1:42.97 (2022)
- Yannick Agnel (FRA) – 1:43.14 (2012)
- Danila Izotov (RUS) – 1:43.90 (2009)
This pool is so slow that Popovici swam the 200 faster in Tokyo than in Paris💀
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.
This time would not win since 2000.
Thorpe was one hundredth faster in 2004.
Insane.
Now let’s get that 100m one as well, David ! you can do it !
Thought our boy Hobson was gonna do it