Rebecca-Aimee Diaconescu (born 24 April 2006) is a Romanian swimmer who specializes in the freestyle event. She competes at the collegiate level for the University of Michigan. She will represent Romania at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[1]

Rebecca Diaconescu
Personal information
Full nameRebecca-Aimee Diaconescu
National team Romania
Born (2006-04-24) 24 April 2006 (age 18)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubCSM Constanta
College teamUniversity of Michigan
CoachIoana Diaconescu
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing  Romania
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Lima 4×100 m mixed freestyle relay
European Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Otopeni 4×100 m mixed freestyle relay
Silver medal – second place 2024 Vilnius 200 m freestyle

Early life and education

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Diaconescu attended Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2022, during her sophomore year, she won the Class 5A state championship in the 100 butterfly and was second in the 200 freestyle.[2]

In January 2023, Diaconescu verbally committed to Louisville.[3] In November 2023 she changed her commitment to Michigan for the 2024–25 season.[4]

Career

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In July 2022, Diaconescu represented Romania at the 2022 European Junior Swimming Championships where she won a silver medal in the 4×100 metre mixed freestyle relay with a Romanian record time of 3:29.35.[5] The next month she competed at the 2022 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships and won a silver medal in the 4×100 metre mixed freestyle relay.[6]

In April 2024 at the Romanian Championships she set a Romanian record in the 100 metre freestyle with a time of 55.15, surpassing the previous record of 55.40 set by Tamara Costache in 1986.[7][8] In July 2024, Diaconescu represented Romania at the 2024 European Junior Swimming Championships and won a silver medal in the 200 metre freestyle with a time of 1:58.97.[9] She will represent Romania at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[10][11]

Personal life

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Diaconescu is the daughter of Ioana Diaconescu and Nicolae Papuc.[12] Her mother competed in swimming at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics, while her father competed in the modern pentathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Rebecca-Aimee Diaconescu". olympics.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  2. ^ Orts, Jason (3 May 2022). "2022 Nevada Preps All-Southern Nevada girls swimming, diving team". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. ^ Zacharias, Sidney (2 January 2023). "Romanian National Jr. Teamer Rebecca Diaconescu Commits To Louisville (2024)". swimswam.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  4. ^ Lepesant, Anne (25 November 2023). "2024 "Honorable Mention" Rebecca Diaconescu Switches Commitment from Louisville to Michigan". swimswam.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  5. ^ Bocai, Marian (6 August 2022). "Dublu medaliat european la juniori, luna trecută, Patrick Dinu concurează și la competiția continentală de seniori". Ziua (in Romanian). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  6. ^ Lohn, John (1 September 2022). "World Junior Championships: David Popovici Spins More Magic, But Hungary Rallies For Relay Win". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  7. ^ De George, Matthew (20 April 2024). "Rebecca Diaconescu Downs 38-Year-Old Romanian Record; David Popovici Wins 4th Title". Swimming World Magazine. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  8. ^ Serban, Teodor (21 April 2024). "Născută și crescută la Las Vegas, a spulberat un record al României vechi de 38 de ani". ziare.com (in Romanian). Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  9. ^ Race, Reta (3 July 2024). "2024 European Junior Championships: Day 2 Finals Live Recap". swimswam.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  10. ^ Allen, Neely (26 July 2024). "University of Michigan Athletes in 2024 Paris Olympics". fox2detroit.com. WJBK. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  11. ^ Nazare, Daniel (20 July 2024). "Pe cine contăm în NATAȚIE pentru Paris 2024! Ce spune Camelia Potec despre Rebecca Diaconescu". Gândul. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Female Rising Star: Rebecca Diaconescu, Palo Verde swimming". Las Vegas Sun. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Team România Paris 2024 Trei înotători cu vârste sub 20 de ani". eziarultau.ro (in Romanian). 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
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