200 metres Freestyle, Men

This was a difficult event to prognosticate as no obvious favorite stood out. Tom Dean was the defending gold medalist but did not make the British team in this event. The 2020 silver medalist, Duncan Scott, was back and considered a medal contender. Romania’s David Popovici had won the 2022 World Championship in the event, but had not stood out in 2023. Germany’s Lukas Märtens was considered a challenger, but he was better in the 400.

Popovici, Scott, and Märtens all qualified for the final easily, ranking 1-2-4 in the semi-finals, bridging American Luke Hobson in third.

The final saw Märtens out the fastest. He led at all three turns but had the slowest final lap and would finish in a tie for fifth. Popovici and Britain’s Matt Richards were 2-3 or 3-2 behind Märtens for most of the race, but Popovici had the quickest final 50 to win gold, Richards also finishing well for the silver. Behind them, Hobson took the bronze medal, as Scott trailed in fourth.

Two days later, Popovici would add another medal with bronze in the 100 freestyle. Richards and Scott would win gold medals later in Paris, but in the 4x200 freestyle relay.