David Popovici met in Romania with the American Jim Montgomery, they were the only swimmers in history to win the 100 and 200 meter freestyle at the same World Championships. Camelia Potek, another outstanding athlete from Romania, facilitated the meeting between the two champions.

David Popovich, a historic meeting with the legendary Jim Montgomery

Camelia Potek managed to bring to Romania an American woman who 49 years ago became the first person in the world to win gold at the distances of 100 and 200 meters at the same World Championships, which David Popovich also managed this year in Budapest.

Jim Montgomery, who is now 67 years old, exchanged impressions with Popovici, gave advice to the young Romanian athlete and reminisced with him about his races almost 50 years ago, according to News.ro.

“We have a lot in common, but there are also differences. I was 8-9 months older than him when I won gold medals in 100-200.

Then I was in a completely different era of swimming, I was in the first year of university, I swam with record holders, David is already a hero in Romania, everyone follows his races…

We discussed what he wants to do next, how to relieve stress, how to relax.” – Jim Montgomerythe owner of five world championship titles and three Olympians in swimming.

The American, who is still a phenomenon in training youth and participating in exhibition races, shared some of his secrets with Popovici and admitted that he is confident that the Romanian will improve his time, according to News.ro.

“He knows for sure that he will be even faster in the future. He is a very intelligent young man.

I will go to Paris for the Olympics in 2024 and I will follow him. He will definitely be physically stronger, it happened to me too, at the age of 21 I swam one and a half seconds faster than when I was 18-19.

I’ve given him a lot of advice, he’s got a big challenge ahead of him and I’m sure he’ll give 110% of everything he can, both in training and in competition.”– added the legendary swimmer.

Montgomery had nothing but praise for Andrei Redulescu, the man behind David Popovich’s performances.

“He is a very young coach, and I asked him one thing: who, in your opinion, is the biggest plus in swimming now.

He gave me the perfect answer: I have a lot more information, I have everything on my laptop, I know everything about every race that David runs, every moment of every race. Now you can help the athlete much more than before, technology has reached an incredible level.” – Jim Montgomery.

Camellia Potek and an incredible performance by Jim Montgomery with David Popovich

Kamelia Potek told how she managed to make the meeting of the two possible.

“Having friends in the US, I tried to reach this world swimming legend and meet David.

We managed to do it, and the meeting between them was incredible. Jim watched David race, it was fun to see them together.” – Camelia Potek.

“Camelia was the boss, she organized everything, I feel incredible here, people are extremely kind and hospitable. Before coming here I only knew the story of Count Dracula” – Jim Montgomery.

David Popovich, stunning performances in 2022

David Popovichi shone at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, winning at least five medals and being recognized as the best athlete at the competition.

The young Romanian athlete also gave an amazing performance at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest. He won two gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter freestyle.

During the entire World Swimming Championships, only one athlete managed to win the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events from the same edition.

It happened 49 years ago, and the person celebrating this feat is called Jim Montgomery (USA – he is now 67 years old).​

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