David Popovici exclusive: 'My most important thing - being simple'
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, the two-time world champion discusses how simplicity has been the key to his success and will be in Paris 2024.
Swimming
Speaking to David Popovici, it’s almost easy to understand why his strokes are so fluid and ergonomic.
Arguably the most exciting swimmer on the planet, everything about Popovici is streamlined. From the way he carries himself to his build to his performances, the 19-year-old Romanian is a symbol of simplicity.
And that’s how he prefers it.
“My most important thing - being simple,” Popovici said during an exclusive interview with Olympics.com during the summer.
“I like simplicity. This is one thing I’ve resonated with Japan. Everything is so simple, from the clothing to simplicity of usage to recycling - everything. I like simplicity.”
Staying grounded
It won’t be so simple for his competition who must figure out how to beat Popovici, who in Budapest last year became the first man in nearly half a century to sweep the 100 and 200 free at a World championships.
It was his official coming-out party on a global scale, receiving a hero’s welcome in Romania upon his return home for his feat.
At the ensuing European Championships in Rome, Popovici proceeded to rewrite the world record in the 100, punching a 46.86 to break Cesar Cielo’s 13-year-old mark.
While Popovici did not medal at this year's world championships in Fukuoaka, outside expectations were extremely high at the European short course championships in Bucharest. He only managed to win one bronze medal.
“You can never be too confident and it’s a bad thing to be overconfident,” he had said ahead of the event on home soil.
With piercing eyes, Popovici is incredibly and charmingly enlightened for someone his age. Having a conversation with him is a thoughtful process, but not in a mind games type of way.
That he is well read is noticeable straightaway. The Bucharest native says he prefers to dive into a good book rather than “endless scrolling” on his phone.
The best he’s read most recently is called “The Practice of Groundedness” by Brad Stulberg.
“It’s a book that teaches you how to stay grounded, humble down to earth,” the teenage sage described. “t’s main message basically is that as long as you’re grounded, there’s not really a strong wind that can really push you down - just like the trees and their roots.
“If your roots are extended, you can manage to stay put through hard times.”
Home is where your heart is
Just as he trains the mind, his body is minimalistic by modern swimming standards.
In a discipline where most athletes boast the broadest of chest and shoulders with raging biceps, Popovici is sleek and refined, the fruits of a regimented lifestyle but also born out of his natural build.
“I myself like being disciplined. It’s more of a way of life. I’m young, I’ve yet to go through life, but I like being simple, being disciplined and taking care of my time because that’s the most valuable asset I think.
“Usually when the training periods are tough - and that happens a lot of times - I just try and be stoic and try to remember what I can control.
"I try not to be influenced by what’s not in my control and that sort of calms me down when everything might be too much.”
Popovici spurned the courting of the top swimming universities in the United States, choosing to remain in the familiar surroundings of Romania to train with the people he knows, in the country he loves.
So far, no one could argue that he has made the wrong decision.
“At this level, we’re just trying to perfect it and make it even better. There’s no significant change you can really make.
“In the U.S. or in Australia - the big countries with a big sports culture - you sort of have swimming factories in which they just filter and narrow down the kids and then grownups and manage to have such big teams.
“Whereas in Romania, which is not such a big sports culture, this individual sport, swimming, is even more individual. I put all my faith in the individual work, the quality of the people you surround yourself with, the team you manage to gain on this road.
“The human factor is very important for me. That’s why I opted to stay (in Romania) and remain with quality people I trust the most.”
Popovici was named World Aquatics' swimmer of the year.
Paris via Fukuoka, then Doha
Following Fukuoka will be another worlds in Doha in February 2024 and after that awaits the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Popovici fever could hit an all-time high.
But the name of the game will not change for him - keep it simple. As the old saying goes:
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And that saying makes sense,” Popovici said.
“It’s as simple as doing as good I can on that day and especially, I want to have fun. I want to enjoy racing. It’s too easy to get caught up in outside pressure or anxiety.
“I want to try and simply rely on what I do everyday, which is training hard, adjusting my social life to the one in the pool. As long as I trust myself I’ll be OK - even at the Olympics, which is a big competition.
“For as long as I’ve started swimming, I’ve wanted to go to the Olympics and then my dreams reached to wanting to win a gold medal. So yeah, it’s important but it’s not the most important thing in the world. I wouldn’t want to win a gold medal if I’m not proud of it, or if I’m not feeling good or if I’m dissatisfied with myself.
“I want to prioritise that and as long as I’m doing that, a gold medal might come.”
Sky's the limit for Popovici.