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)