David Popovici takes third-straight 200m freestyle gold in Paris, France; third-straight crown boosts Euros dominance

European Aquatics Championships 2026: David Popovici takes third-straight 200m freestyle gold in Paris

The Romanian led from start to finish on Friday (14 August) as he continued his continental dominance in the event that stretches back to 2022.

If swimming has a triple-double, Romania’s David Popovici pulled it off on Friday (14 August), as he claimed his third-straight 200 metres freestyle crown at the European Aquatics Championships 2026 in Paris, France.

Two days prior, on 12 August, Popovici won his third consecutive gold in the 100m freestyle as well.

“My first reaction was that I am happy to be defending the triple-double 100 and 200,” he told Olympics.com afterwards. “At the same time, I should have gone a little faster, but I really don’t want to be that guy who can’t be happy for such an important feat and win because of a time not going really according to plan.

“So at the end of the day, I’m really happy,” Popovici continued. “I’ll celebrate accordingly. I’ll come back training faster and smarter and stronger.”

On Friday, the 21-year-old led from start to finish, clocking a 1:44.15, holding off a challenge from Lithuania’s Tomas Navikonis , who touched at 1:44.55. Team GB’s James Guy won the bronze medal at 1:44.87.

Popovici is a two-time Olympic medallist, having claimed 200m freestyle gold and 100m freestyle bronze at Paris 2024 . He has dominated at the Europeans, winning 2022 with a championship record before defending his title in 2024.

He also owns two golds apiece in the 100m and 200m freestyle at the World Championships.

With all that experience - and success - Popovici’s perspective has shifted.

“I used to, up until two years ago, treat swimming and sports way too obsessively. I was way, way too harsh on myself in the past,” he explained. “Now, I stopped swimming for objectives, titles and medals and all that. Sure, they’re great… but I’m swimming for the sake of performance, excellence, to try to be better than my older self.”

With the Olympic Games LA28 in the offing, that newfound perspective is informing how he approaches his Olympic title defense.

“It will definitely be a better preparation, smarter preparation. And every year, every season that goes, we learn so much, and we just have to make sure we, or at least personally, I absorb as much information as possible,” said Popovici. " At the end of the day, the secret for success is still that there is no secret. It’s a whole lot of work .

“So as long as you keep pushing and putting the bricks, it’s going to be fine.”

By Scott Bregman Florian Bouhier

31 July - 16 August

European Aquatics Championships | Paris | France