PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Romania's David Popovici clinched his first Olympic gold medal by winning the men's 200m freestyle final at the Paris 2024 Games on Monday.

The 19-year-old, already a dual world champion, touched the wall in one minute 44.72 seconds at La Defense Arena, just two hundredths of a second ahead of Britain's Matthew Richards.

Luke Hobson of the United States took bronze in 1:44.79.

Germany's Lukas Maertens, who won gold in the men's 400m freestyle on Saturday, led early before fading in the final 50m to finish sixth.

"I feel amazing," Popovici said. "It's so great to be here. There are many Romanians in the crowd. It's beautiful, it's a dream come true. I don't know how to describe it. It's so simple, yet so beautiful."

Popovici has been touted as a future star since winning gold in the 100m freestyle and 200m freestyle at the world championships in Budapest two years ago.

He is also a four-time European champion and holds the continental 100m freestyle record. Enditem

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