David Popovici, joking after conquering the title that was missing with the best time of the year: “I am putting the coach!”

For David now follow the samples of 50 meters free and 100 free meters, joking on account of the first one, with which it is not so common, that he will try it at the insistence of his coach, but also to improve his sprint, so that it is easier to 100 meters free.

With the first medal conquered at this edition of the U23 Europeans, David is also thinking of the Singapore World Cup, which will take place between July 27 and August 3.

VIDEO. The first reaction of David Popovici, after the gold from 200 meters free to the European U23

“I felt very good. Before I went into the water, I did not expect to swim so quickly, but once I felt the water, I felt the speed. I realized it would be below 1:44, faster than games. I felt very good throughout the race.

I got less tired than I got tired in the morning. In the morning I swam with the hand brake. It is difficult to swim slowly, in a way. It's hard to explain. The medal as the medal, the title as the title, but I always try to detach myself from it. Time matters every time. It's the best time in the season, much faster than at the Olympic games.

I am very pleased. It's a strange year, let's call it. And I, like many other athletes, needed a more relaxing year. The approach was lighter. You have no way, after such a stressful year, to return and give the same. But we see, in terms of time and performance, a lighter approach – it's ok. I, when I'm calm and quiet, swim quickly.

Tomorrow I have 50 meters free. I don't even know what to propose. It's not my sample, it's more experimental. I have the fondly 100 meters free, where I will try and there to swim as fast as I can. At Singapore I think I will swim 50, “I am a little put in the coach”, but it is very important to develop this 50 part, for the sprint, for hundred. On 50, I really don't think I will start.

The objective for Singapore Clear is not to take the 1st place to 50 meters. Instead, it is to be as close to the 1st place or even take it to my samples. 50 is good to do for training.

I missed competition. Swimming is, from this point of view, difficult, because you do not have many competitions. I do not say that it is easy for footballers or tennis players, who have every weekend or 3 days, but we have the chance to assert ourselves on the biggest stage – and this is a unique aspect, “said David Popovici at the end of the test in which he won the gold medal, at the European U23 championships.