Swimming star David Popovici ‘ignorant of limits’ as he seals Paris 2024 qualification
The men's 100m freestyle world record holder broke several national records at the Romanian National Championships en-route to booking a place at his second Olympic Games.
David Popovici has revealed the mindset which helped him break more records at the Romanian National Championships 2023 on 5-9 April, and qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“Any competition we go to, my coach and I aim to be ignorant of limits,” 18-year-old Popovici said per Len.eu. “I’m glad I got the ticket for the Olympic Games.”
In total, the 100m freestyle world record holder won six titles in five days during the competition in his homeland.
Those were in the men's 50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 50 butterfly (setting a new national record of 23.74), 100 butterfly (setting a new national record of 52.30), and the 400 free. He also swam the leadoff leg in a 400m medley relay where his team finished second.
"Whoever says he is not tired on the last day is lying,” Popovici told SwimSwam. “I competed in backstroke and butterfly to see what I was up to. I want to be a complete swimmer. I have to continue to prove that I am capable."
The Bucharest native achieved Olympic qualification by winning the 100m free in a time of 47.61.
While that is a way off his history-making effort of 46.86 last August, his rivals will have taken note of what it’s still a blisteringly quick time for this stage of the season.
Rivalry with Caeleb Dressel
Popovici seems like he can break the 48-second barrier for the 100m free with ease.
The Bucharest native has beaten that mark on 20 occasions, with only reigning Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel having done so more times.
In the USA swimmer’s absence at the 2022 World Championships, Popovici stepped up to take that crown (as well as the 200m freestyle title) meaning the stage is set for a showdown between the two at World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, this summer.
Popovici is the second Team Romania athlete to meet the qualification criteria for Paris 2024 according to the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, after marathon runner Delvine Relin Meringor (marathon).