Romanian Sports Gala/David Popovici: I am now an Olympic champion but my objectives stay the same
Swimmer David Popovici on Tuesday stated, at the Romanian Sports Gala 2024, organized by the National Agency for Sports, that his objectives at the world and European championships have remained unchanged after winning the two medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
'Every year, we swimmers have an important competition, whether they are European or world championships. This year is the Worlds and I have the same objectives as ever, absolutely nothing has changed. It doesn't matter that I am now an Olympic champion, my goal is to feel good, to swim as fast as I can and to surpass myself,' said Popovici.
Named the best athlete of 2024 alongside rower Simona Radis, Popovici said that he had a very difficult year, in which he worked extremely hard: 'I am happy for this award, I am happy for my entire team, I am happy that our effort is recognized. Last year was a very difficult year, very full, we had a lot to work and train for the Olympic Games, but in the end it was worth it. I am very pleased with what happened.'
Returning from the training camp in Turkey, Popovici once again brought to attention the problem of deficient sports facilities.
'Yesterday I returned from the training camp. We had to go outside, because we don't have an altitude training centre in Romania. I spent three weeks in Turkey, at over 2,000 m altitude. I will do everything I can, I will fight just like I have been doing since the spotlight was put on me. The indoor pool at 'Lia Manoliu' has been abandoned for seven or eight years and instead of solving the problem for which it was closed, everything has stopped. I don't know how it can be solved, but I will speak up every time I have the opportunity. I don't know specifically what can be done for Romanian swimming, but I know what I can do for all the young people and children who follow me, namely, I want to inspire them, I want to be an example,' David Popovici also said.
Swimmer David Popovici and rower Simona Radis, Olympic champions at the Paris Games, were named the male and female athletes of the year, respectively, on Tuesday evening, at the 2024 Romanian Sports Gala organized by the National Agency for Sports. The National News Agency AGERPRES was also awarded for its contribution to promoting Romanian sports.
The winners also included the best male and female coaches - Adrian Radulescu (swimming, David Popovici) and Camelia Voinea (artistic gymnastics, Sabrina Voinea), the best teams in team sports - the Romanian men's football team and Gloria Bistrita (women's handball), as well as the president of the year 2024 - Camelia Potec (Romanian Swimming and Modern Pentathlon Federation).
The event at the Romanian National Opera in the capital city Bucharest was attended by several hundred former and current athletes, coaches, presidents of federations and clubs. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Adrian Tone, EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – [email protected].
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
Pope Francis funeral/Medal of Pope's 2019 visit to Romania placed in his coffin
The medal of Pope Francis' 2019 visit to Romania was placed beside him during the coffin-closing and sealing ceremony held on Friday evening. The ceremony included the impressive ritual of the covering of Francis' face with a white silk cloth. A bag containing coins and medals minted during his pontificate was placed in the coffin, including the medal
Groundbreaking ceremony for Prut River 'Flower Bridge', with Romanian and Moldovan authorities attending
Romanian and Moldovan officials are to attend on Saturday the groundbreaking ceremony for the first motorway road bridge across the Prut River in the last 60 years - the Ungheni Bridge, an event symbolically called the Flower Bridge Festival. The new bridge will connect the commune of Zagarancea in the Republic of Moldova's Ungheni District with the Golaes
Pope Francis funeral/National mourning day for the late pontiff, Romanian flag flown at half-mast
Romania observes on Saturday a day of mourning in honor of Pope Francis, following a government decision to this effect. 'We approve a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, to be observed on Saturday, April 26, the very day of his funeral at the Vatican. It is a decision that shows our deep respect for his complete ope
EU on high alert over Russia's hybrid offensive on Europe's democracies (enr)
Hybrid threats, in particular from Russia, have flooded Europe in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. EU officials and intelligence reports warn of a surge in attacks designed to destabilise European democracies - with national elections, infrastructure, and public trust in the crosshairs. The European Union has become increasingly concerned about Russian int
Romania to remember Pope Francis on April 26, day of national mourning
The Romanian government on April 24, 2025, approved declaring April 26, 2025, a day of mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on the very day of the pope's funeral at the Vatican. 'A spiritual and moral leader, Pope Francis stood out for his active involvement in the life of contemporary society, a profound personality, also appreciated by the
President Bolojan: Marking 20 years since signing of EU Accession Treaty, opportunity to focus on consolidating European path
Interim President Ilie Bolojan conveyed a message on Friday, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union. 'We are marking today 20 years since the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union on April 25, 2005, a key moment that paved the way for our integration, which was finali
'Cindrelul - Junii Sibiului' folk ensemble to represent Romania at EuropaFest in Germany
According to a decision adopted on Thursday by the Sibiu County Council, the professional folk ensemble 'Cindrelul - Junii Sibiului' will represent Romania at the EuropaFest cultural festival running May 17 - 20 in the German city of Landshut. 'The artists will present folk dances representative of Romania's major ethnographic areas and of Sibi
Romania and Moldova to launch construction of first road bridge over Prut in last six decades
The Republic of Moldova and Romania will jointly mark, on Saturday, the launch of the construction of the first motorway bridge over the Prut River in the last six decades - the Ungheni Bridge, through a symbolic event generically called the 'Flower Bridge' Festival. The bridge will connect the Zagarancea locality in Ungheni district (the Republic of M
Cohesion and common agricultural policies, of major interest, says PM Ciolacu at meeting with Commissioner Serafin
Romania will play an active and constructive role in the consultations for the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework so that it results in a balanced proposal, able to respond to the objectives of the European Union and to the political, economic and security changes, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, at the meeting with the delegation led by the European Commissioner
Gov't approves day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Saturday April 26 will be a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, saying that this is a 'decision that shows deep respect for the total openness and warmth permanently shown to Romanians.' 'We approve a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on Saturda
Public invited to see election technology at Cotroceni Presidential Palace on weekend
The gates to the Cotroceni Presidential Palace will open to the public again, and this time it is the turn of the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) to delight visitors of all ages. From Friday to Sunday, 10:00hrs-18:00hrs, STS will conduct interactive activities for children and adults alike, an exhibition of special vehicles and special telecommunicati
PM Ciolacu signs condolence book at Apostolic Nunciature to Romania
Bucharest, April 24 /Agerpres/ - Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote a message on Thursday morning in a condolence book opened at the Apostolic Nunciature to Romania in memory of the Pope Francis. He spent a few minutes in the embassy headquarters. A condolence book for officials is open inside the diplomatic mission, and all those who wish to c
Commemorative march in footsteps of Romanian heroes fallen on the Western Front arrives in Oarba de Mures
The commemorative march titled 'In the footsteps of the Romanian heroes fallen on the Western Front - Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic', organized by the Ministry of National Defence, through the National Office for the Cult of Heroes, on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, arrived on Wednesday at the Heroes Cemetery in Oarba de Mures, where several tho
Romania reaches podium at the 2025 FIRST Championship robotics competition
Romanian teams climbed the podium at the 2025 FIRST Championship robotics competition, intended for high school students, which took place between April 16 and 19 in Houston, USA, informs the Ministry of Education and Research. Remarkable results were achieved by the CSH Timisoara & Eastern Foxes Ploiesti team - an exceptional alliance, which ranked 3rd gl
Over 1 million Romanians celebrate their name day on St. George
Over 1 million Romanians celebrate their name day of on Saint George the Martyr [Sf. Gheorghe in Romanian - editor's note] on Wednesday, April 23. According to the General Directorate of Personal Records, the most common male names are: Gheorghe (402,099); George (159,761); Georgian (29,408); Gheorghita (21,434); Georgel (12,285); Gigi (8,659); Gigel (5,82