Summer McIntosh and Popovici: youth take Paris by storm

The third day of swimming in Paris was the dedication of two emerging phenomena, the Canadian Summer McIntosh (17 years old) and the Romanian David Popovici (19), who won their first Olympic gold medals.

McIntosh mastered his favorite event with gusto, the 400 medley, which he finished in 4’27”71, well off his own world record even though he swam below it for more than half the race; the lack of competition at the end from the Americans Katie Grimes (silver) and Emma Weyant prevented a better record. The Canadian has already collected gold and silver in the 400 freestyle and his particular agenda in Paris still has work to do: the 200 butterfly and the 200 medley.

Popovici took the 200 freestyle in a very close finish with the British Matthew Richardswhich he surpassed by only two hundred, leaving the bronze Luke Hobsonwho touched the sensor just 7 hundredths behind the winner.

Australian style Ariarne Titmus They nicknamed him ‘Terminator’ for a reason: he came from the future to kill Katie Ledecky to usurp the throne of middle distance and world distance. He did it in Tokyo three years ago with the 200-400 double and again here in Paris on the opening day in the 400 freestyle, making it clear that he is now on a different level than an American in his twilight years. But this time he met his partner, also Australian Mollie O’Callaghan, beating him in the double hectometer (1’53”27) by almost half a second. And in bronze, after his two silver medals in Tokyo, the swimmer from Hong Kong Siobhan Haughey exploiting loopholes.

In the women’s 100 breaststroke, a surprising podium without an American presence, especially the absence of a world record holder. Lily King, who finished fourth ex aequo. Gold for South Africa Tatjana Smith (1’05”28), silver for the Chinese Qianting Tang (1’05”54) and bronze for the Irish Mona McSharry (1’05”59).