He was the overwhelming favorite to secure another 100m and 200m freestyle double, and he did not disappoint. Romanian David Popovici, who won the blue-ribbon event at the Paris European Championships just days ago, claimed his second gold medal at the continental championships on Friday after dominating the 200m freestyle with tremendous authority.
The Romanian repeats the 100m and 200m double for the third time with absolute authority.
SWIMMING, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 – David Popovici definitively establishes himself as the greatest European freestyle sprint swimmer of all time. The Romanian achieves another gold double, triumphing in the 200m freestyle after his victory in the 100m in the Paris pool. This is the third consecutive edition of the European Championships in which he has achieved this feat: no one has ever done it like him in the history of swimming.
What if the duel the swimming world has been waiting for is already beginning to take shape? In Los Angeles, Léon Marchand could face David Popovici again in the 200m freestyle, after setting astonishing times in the event this week at the European Championships in Saint-Denis. The Romanian, for his part, is eager for the showdown. Two phenomena, a new frontier and a rivalry that promises to be legendary.
Saint-Denis (France) (AFP) – Romanian David Popovici was crowned European champion in the 200m freestyle for the third consecutive time on Friday.
