Romania's David Popovici celebrates winning the final of the men's 200m freestyle swimming event during the LEN European Aquatics Championships at the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Saint-Denis, northern suburbs of Paris, on August 14, 2026. Photo: AFP
The 21-year-old swimmer doubled his tally in Paris after his victory in the 100m freestyle earlier in the competition.
Popovici touched the wall in 1min 44.15sec, edging out Lithuanian Tomas Navikonis by 0.40sec. Great Britain's James Guy clocked 1min 44.87sec for bronze.
The Olympic champion over the distance led the race from start to finish, neck and neck with his rivals before pulling away in the final metres.
Earlier, Belgian Roos Vanotterdijk successfully defended her 100m butterfly title.
Vanotterdijk, 21, the world silver medallist over the distance, lead the way in 56.08sec.
She took the gold 0.31sec ahead of Germany's Angelina Kohler. Russian Daria Klepikova, competing as a neutral, won bronze in 56.76sec.
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