Camelia Potec, the former Olympic champion, currently the head of the Swimming and Modern Pentathlon Federation, joyfully returned to the country after the World Championships in Singapore.
It is where David Popovici was crowned twice as the best swimmer on the planet, with gold in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle. Potec was asked about what will follow regarding David Popovici’s participation in the Olympics over 3 years from now, at Los Angeles 2028.
Potec had a somewhat unexpected statement, starting in a way that could raise some questions among fans: "If he decides to continue with high-performance sports...".
In detail, the former great swimmer stated: "If he decides to continue with high-performance sports, which I find normal for him to do, it's the beginning of an Olympic cycle, of course, he will not choose to swim without swimming fast. He will not choose to compete with an objective without being prepared. Seeing a more mature David, all decisions will be made with responsibility.
It is true that there were quite intense discussions, it is true that there were doubts, it is true that there was talk about a return to the country, but we are glad that this did not happen. We were there, we know many details about what happened. It is true that he has a very strong personality.
When he feels something, he feels it intensely, but that's why there's a team around him. That's why we're here, by his side. That's why we, from high-performance sports, know how to handle such a situation. He is still a child, under a lot of pressure, wanting to do everything at the highest level. He will certainly go through many difficult moments in his life.
This is primarily due to the people around him, but also to a very strong mentality. The final decision was his, but there were many discussions in the three days before the competitions," said Camelia Potec, upon returning to Romania, according to Antena Sport.
David Popovici is the first person in history to achieve the double 100m freestyle - 200m freestyle at the World Championships, after the one in 2022, in Budapest. He has entered the exclusive club of swimmers with double victories in the "queen event," alongside Matt Biondi, Alexander Popov, Filippo Magnini, James Magnussen, and Caeleb Dressel.
D.A.