David Popovici of Romania recently made an important decision regarding his approach to the Paris 2024 Games.
The 19-year-old former world record holder has decided to put his education on hold, instead going all-in in his quest to top the podium with Olympic swimming action now fewer than 80 days away.
Popovici revealed last year that he intended to study psychology at the University of Bucharest.
At the time, the teen phenom said, “I am sure that I have made the right choice, and I am happy that, alongside my academic activities, I will also receive support in achieving new accomplishments in the field that has brought me the most beautiful achievements, swimming.”
However, Popovici has switched gears, saying that his balancing work in the pool and work at the university was compromising what he is trying to achieve.
“I wanted to try with college in the year of the Olympics to do both, but I saw that I couldn’t focus on training with college as much as I would have liked.
The Adrian Rădulescu-coached superstar said, “I chose to freeze the [academic] year; we’ll focus on what is more important this year and next year we try again.” (ProSport)
Popovici is coming off a successful Romanian Championships last month where he earned 4 gold medals across the 50m/100m/200m/400m free events.
His season-best times of 47.86 in the 100m and 1:45.10 in the 200m rank him 10th and 8th in the world, respectively, at the moment.
The teen is the former world record holder in the 100m free, clocking a time of 46.86 at the 2022 European Championships. That stood until this year’s World Championships when Chinese speedster Pan Zhanle dropped it down to 46.80.
Popovici’s lifetime best 1:42.97 in the 200m free also from those 2022 European Championships rendered him the 3rd-fastest man in history.
His performances in 2023 weren’t quite up to the same caliber as Popovici finished 6th in the 100m free (47.83) and 4th in the 200m free (1:44.90) at that year’s World Championships.
Popovici’s times last month, however, are an indication he’s on the right upward trajectory as he eyes the all-important Olympic Games on the horizon.
Men’s 100-200 free Olympic champion incoming!
He wins neither
Not 100
He has the potential to go a 42 low. I’m leaning towards not breaking the suit record, but really depends on him. Unfortunately he seems to be to much of an intellectual which I don’t think always translates well to the absolute peak of what his body could be capable of.
Maya Dirado, among others, say hello and WTF?
Why is he even thinking about racing/focussing SCY and school meets?? Get into a programme that can fulfil his potential in the international arena.
Dang, the conference shake-ups really have been wild with U. of Bucharest going to the ACC too. Wonder if Radulescu is in the conversation for the Penn State or Arizona gigs.
Classic example of reading the headline instead of the article.
I mean, most swimming fans with basic education would not even summarize the title like what the OP did.
I didn’t read the article, and based on the headline alone no way in hell I thought Popovici swim yards in college.
What the hell dude?
Why do Americans always think the rest of the world should operate like the US?
Is it honest ignorance? Lack of education?
based on the spelling of program, i would say OP isn’t American.
Popovici to WVU next year confirmed.
Should’ve happened a year ago.
Not really.
He did something else apart from swimming last year so he didn’t get burned out.
But not medaling in Fukuoka and losing his WR put a fire under his butt and now he’s back and he’s dangerous.
Best of luck to him. Incredibly talented swimmer!
He can go do whatever he likes after he breaks the 200 Free WR. But seriously, I hope he does well in Paris and that his studies are successful when he gets back to them.
It doesn’t matter if he breaks the supersuited 200fr WR or not. He already owns the textile WR. All that matters is an individual gold medal in the 2free whether it takes 1:43 or a 1:44 low like Tokyo or he drops another PR. No one will care about the time.
I’m just not sure if that record is breakable… You basically have to go out in 23 high and avg 26:00 flat in the later three 50s to even come close, which sounds crazy…
If someone could break it, it’s Chlorine Daddy
Good to hear, I wonder when he put college on hold