The Italian Federation has announced the stars that will participate in Settecolli, among them David Popovici
Article by Roxana Fleșeru – Published Saturday, May 16, 2026, 4:17 p.m. / Updated Saturday, May 16, 2026, 4:20 p.m.
David Popovici (21 years old), Sarah Sjöström, Gretchen Walsh, Adam Peaty, Marrit Steenbergen and Siobhán Haughey, as well as the Italians Thomas Ceccon and Nicolò Martinenghi will take part in the 62nd edition of the Settecolli IP Trophy, a competition that will take place at the Foro Italico between June 26 and 28.
David Popovici will participate in his first international competition at the end of June. The four-time world champion and his coach, Adrian Rădulescu, decided at the beginning of the season to add the Settecolli Trophy to the international program for 2026. The competition will take place between June 26 and 28, at the Foro Italico, one of the Romanian's favorite swimming pools.
He competed here at the European Junior Championships in 2021, the Senior Championships in 2022, when he set a world record in the 100m freestyle, and the Settecolli Trophy in 2023.I love to swim outdoors and that pool means a lot to me. Most world records were broken there. I don't know if I'm aiming to break any world records now. I don't want to rush. I love this suspense. I know I'm going to beat him, but I'm in no rush.
This is the first year I don't have Worlds or Olympics. And I take it easier, let's say”, said David Popovici at the National Championships held in Otopeni at the end of April, when he prevailed in the 50, 100 and 200 m freestyle events and with the Dinamo club relay team in the 4x100m freestyle event.
In Rome, the 50m freestyle event takes place on June 26, the 100m freestyle on June 27 and the 200m freestyle on June 28. The heats will start each morning at 10:00 and the “A” finals at 19:00.
The competition in Rome is a test for David Popovici before the European Championships in Paris (August 10-16).
The Settecolli Trophy, a competition full of stars
The Italian Swimming Federation announced on Friday who will be the stars of this edition.
“Along with the great Italian athletes, some of the main representatives of world swimming are expected, such as the Swedish Sarah Sjöström, the American Gretchen Walsh, the British Adam Peaty, the Romanian David Popovici, the Swiss Noè Ponti, the Irish Daniel Wiffen, the Russian Kliment Kolesnikov, the Dutch Marrit Steenbergen and Siobhán Haughey, from Hong Kong, in addition to numerous Olympic and world medalists“, the statement of the Italian Federation states.
He continues: “Italy will line up all its stars: alongside Olympic gold medalists Thomas Ceccon and Nicolò Martinenghi and champion Gregorio Paltrinieri, there will be Simona Quadarella, world champion Simone Cerasuolo, youngsters Carlos D'Ambrosio and Sara Curtis, international medalists Benedetta Pilato and Alberto Razzetti, captains Silvia Di Pietro and Lorenzo Zazzeri and many other representatives of the Italian national team in search of qualification for the European Championships from Paris”.
The Settecolli IP 2026 Trophy is organized by the Italian Swimming Federation in collaboration with “Sport e Salute” and is sponsored by the Lazio Region and Rome Capitale, with the support of the Ministries of Sport and Youth, as well as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
