David Popovici won his 100 meter freestyle series on the verge. The Romanian returned on the last length of the pool, after a more difficult start.
The Romanian swimming champion returned only fifth, but recovered spectacularly in the last meters and beat the Hungarian Nandor Nemeth by a hundredth, stopping the clock at 47.92.
The semi-finals take place tonight, from 21.30. The final is scheduled for Wednesday, from 23.32.
“I had tears in my eyes from emotions, during the anthem, during the interviews. Since I was 9 years old, I dreamed of this moment and I prepared for it. I had a good but tough race, in the last 50 m I felt the opponents next to me. I want to thank those who supported me, but also those who did not believe in me. I’m happy, I have no idea what will happen in the 100 m freestyle! “, said David Popovici, in the mixed area, immediately after the 200 meter freestyle race, when he grabbed the gold medal last night.
David Popovici, nicknamed “Skinny Legend” by olympics.com
Journalists from the official website of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris found a new nickname for David Popovici after the 200 meters freestyle final: “Skinny Legend “.
“David Popovici is struggling to power on a microphone.“Push and hold? Instructions unclear,” he jokes once he manages to get the sound system working.
For the man who loves simplicity in everything he does, it is a momentary frustration on an otherwise dazzling night at Paris 2024 that saw him become the first Romanian male swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal.
Popovici allowed himself a few moments of unbridled celebration, splashing the water after he saw his name pop up at the top of the scoreboard for the men’s 200m freestyle at Paris La Defense Arena on Monday 29 July, and making a face for photographers while posing with his gold medal.
The celebration was, however, but a moment. Half an hour later, the “Skinny Legend” was back to his familiar self: pensive, reserved and, above all, in control of his emotions,” olympics.com reports.