Popovici, double gold in Paris: "The rivalry with Marchand could become extraordinary"

The Romanian swimmer David Popovici, recently a double gold medalist in the 100 m and 200 m freestyle at the European Swimming Championships in Paris, discussed his rivalry with the Frenchman Léon Marchand, stating that it could become extraordinary. Popovici congratulated Marchand for his performance in the 4x200 m relay and emphasized the importance of direct confrontations in the 200 m event.

He also mentioned that training with his Chinese rival, Pan Zhanle, has been beneficial, providing him with new perspectives and insights. Popovici expressed his desire to break the world record but emphasized that he is not in a hurry, having confidence that he will get there. In the interview, he compared swimming to a symphony, highlighting the importance of calmness and technique in competition.

He also stressed that personal health is essential for athletic performance, concluding that being fast is a consequence of well-being. David Popovici thus became the first swimmer to win the double 100 - 200 m freestyle at three consecutive editions of the European Championships.