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David Popovici’s swim to the men’s 200-meter freestyle gold medal was closer than many people expected.
Popovici edged out Matthew Richards of Great Britain by two-hundredths of a second to win his first-ever Olympic gold medal.
American Luke Hobson was in front of Popovici at the start of the final leg, but he missed out on the gold medal by seven-hundredths of a second and settled for bronze.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympics
THAT FINISH. 🤯
Romania’s David Popovici wins gold in the 200m free by the slimmest of margins. American Luke Hobson secures the bronze.#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/L9XZdAt1b4
1. David Popovici (Romania) – 1:44.72
2. Matthew Richards (Great Britain) – 1:44.74
3. Luke Hobson (United States) – 1:44.79
4. Duncan Scott (Great Britain) – 1:44.87
5. Lukas Maertens (Germany) – 1:45.46
6. Danas Rapsys (Lithuania) – 1:45.46
7. Maximillian Giuliani (Australia) – 1:45.57
8. Katsuhiro Matsumoto (Japan) – 1:46.26
Popovici was expected to cruise through Monday’s final after he recorded a semifinal time four-tenths faster than anyone else in the two semifinals.
However, the Romanian found himself in a battle across the 200 meters inside Paris La Defense Arena.
Germany’s Lukas Maertens was in front for a portion of the race and then Hobson appeared to have an edge on Popovici for most of the final 50 meters.
Popovici got his hand to the wall first, though, and cashed in on his favorite status in the 200-meter freestyle.
The 19-year-old Romanian has been one of the best freestyle swimmers in the world over the last few years. He owns four golds from the European championships, including two in 2024, and a pair of golds from the 2022 world championships.
Popovici’s win gave Romania its first gold and first overall medal of the Paris Olympics.
Hobson added to the growing American medal count in Paris. His bronze gave Team USA 10 overall medals in the swimming events and 18 for the first three days of competition.
Richards’ silver for Great Britain extended a terrific Monday for Team GB, who brought home golds in equestrian and cycling. He is the second swimming medalist for Great Britain.
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