Olympic swimming champion David Popovici announced on Monday on his Facebook page that he will train in Romania alongside Pan Zhanle, one of the world's top swimmers and the holder of the 100-metre freestyle world record.

Popovici is convinced the training camp will provide an important exchange of experience for both athletes.

'I am happy to welcome my friend Pan Zhanle and his team to Romania for a joint training camp. I am convinced this collaboration will be a valuable exchange of experience for all of us, both athletically and culturally. I am still practising how to say 'Welcome!' correctly in Mandarin: 'huan-ying'. To allow us to fully focus on training, we respectfully ask you - journalists and fans - to support us by respecting the strictly professional nature of the programme throughout the camp. Thank you for your understanding, and we count on your support!,' Popovici wrote on social media.

Aged 21, Pan Zhanle is one of Popovici's most formidable rivals. The Chinese swimmer, a double Olympic champion, holds the world record in the 100 m freestyle - 46.40 seconds, set at the Paris Olympic Games - a record previously held by Popovici. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Adrian Tone; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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