David Popovici (21 years old) has set a lofty goal for the near future.
The Olympic champion is once again aiming for the world record in the 100-meter freestyle event, which he held for a period, then was surpassed by the Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle at the Paris Olympics.
Popovici is confident that he will surpass Pan Zhanle and reclaim the world record.
"I will regain it soon!" David Popovici conveyed in a discussion with Daniel Dines, the co-founder of UiPath.
Pan Zhanle stopped the clock at 46.40 in the 100-meter freestyle event, setting a new world record at the Paris Olympics.
The previous record belonged to David Popovici, with 46.86, from 2022.
Asked about how he finds the motivation to continue and desire more, even after winning world, European, and Olympic titles, David Popovici offered a more elaborate response.
"This is by no means an easy question and it's a question and dilemma I've had in my mind ever since I won the most important title so far, the Olympic champion last year. For me, things started quite simply. I fell in love with swimming and then, at 11-12 years old, I became a national champion and always wondered what's next. I won more, became European champion and then world, Olympic champion, and when I got there, I thought it was the highest level in sports. And it really is.
I became very confused because, as you said, I kept wondering what's next. It took me a year full of therapy and looking inside myself, asking myself questions and trying to find answers. And now, a year after the Olympics, I can say that I am at peace knowing that I no longer have the pressure to win, the pressure I put on myself, and that I can swim just for the love of the sport.
I can win just for the sake of becoming better, evolving, and inspiring others, because I believe that's one of my greatest missions. You know, winning is one thing, as I said at the beginning, it's nice. Of course, I won't complain, but it's much more than that," David Popovici concluded.