“I don't have so much hope anymore. I hope the situation will be fixed both for me and for the other athletes”
One day after he was awarded at the Dinamovist 2025 Sports GalaDavid Popovici took the stage again, this time at the #BeActive Gala – 10 years of movement, energy and European unity organized by the National Sports Agency. Swimmer and gymnast Sabrina Voinea were named “Most Popular Ambassador” for men and women.
Singapore's two-time world champion (100m and 200m freestyle) spoke openly about delayed premierships, poor sports infrastructure and goals for the new season.
Popovici, honest about the ANS awards: “I didn't receive them. I hope it will be resolved for all the athletes”
David Popovici emphasized that the situation of financial rewards for recent World and European performances has not been resolved: “I have not received them. Since the summer of last year, I have been in the same situation as my colleagues who were not rewarded, and I hope that the situation will be rectified both for me and for the other athletes.”
Asked how he thinks an athlete who doesn't attract as many sponsors as he does, David replied: “I think a little harder. I am grateful that since I was 18, when I started to be in the media, I have had a lot of favorable factors. At first it was hard for me and my father, who was helping me. I remember him sending letters to hundreds of companies, presenting my results and the potential I had. Small amounts, but which mattered enormously in the beginning. Now we are in a good position, companies are approaching us and we are approaching them. Sport is very difficult and if you are not rewarded for the work you put in, it becomes even more difficult”
Sport is the country's most important ambassador and I strongly believe that it should be a national priority. It would be a win for society as a whole if more emphasis were placed on sport, physical education and a healthy lifestyle –David Popovich
Do you know athletes who are struggling financially? “Yes. Performance sport is difficult and if you are not rewarded according to the work you put in it is very difficult.”
What is expected from Ciprian Ciucu, the new mayor of the Capital? “You know my speech, I've always talked about the lack of infrastructure. There are a few Olympic and semi-Olympic swimming pools, but not at the level that young athletes need. I would like to see facilities, quality sports spaces and tracks for cyclists. Bucharest is full of potholes, I walk carefully through traffic,” said David.
I am honored to be in this position and receive awards. Usually towards the end of the year all the galas take place, and for me it is a great joy to be recognized. I will soon be putting my goals down on paper for the coming year, as I do every year
– David Popovich
Going to many year-end galas, did he have time to chat with other athletes, share experiences from this year? “We're all glad the season is over, we're getting ready to start the next one. This is a month where we can breathe a little easier and spend time with family, sit a little quieter,” said the 2025 double world champion.
Popovici did not hide his frustration regarding the state of the pool at “Lia Manoliu”: “I'm not so hopeful. I've been talking for a year or two about the conditions there in the winter. The basin has been derelict for about 10 years. The answers have always been passed from left to right.”
The difference between 2024 and 2025
The swimmer admitted that the season just ended was important for his progress, but nothing compares to the Olympic year: “2025 was important in my evolution, but 2024 remains the most emotional year of my career, when I won the Olympic gold.”
On a future in which he will become a manager and attract sponsorships to sports: “Sounds good, I don't know if I will follow in the footsteps of Mr. Țiriac with the same path, but why not?”
Popovici encouraged the young people to believe in themselves and to surround themselves with the right people: “The first step is to believe in yourself. Then you need a team that believes as much. And a lot of work.”
Movement is very important for people and that is why promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging young people to simply exercise, to play a sport, whatever it is, are important activities – David Popovich
“Sprint with the Stars”, a dream come true
David Popovici also spoke about the “Sprint with the Stars” event, which will take place on January 17 in the Otopeni pool:
We will organize a competition in January, something I would have liked to experience as a child: an event in Otopeni where all children have the chance to compete with Olympic or world champions. If I had been a child, I would have given anything to participate in such an experience
– David Popovich
