The last major swimming event of the year, the Short Course World Swimming Championships, took place in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, a competition which was also attended by several Romanian athletes. The highest expectations were from David Popovici, a young athlete who, at the Tokyo Olympics, was very close to a medal in the 200 m freestyle event. Unfortunately, he has failed to qualify for his favorite event in the Abu Dhabi final. Bianca-Andreea Costea, the athlete with the highest chances for a good place in the women's competition, did not go further either. However, she managed to break the national record in the 50m freestyle event, which has been held by Livia Copariu since 1989.
The best Romanian performance in Abu Dhabi was achieved by Robert Glință. He won the bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke event with 49 seconds and 60 hundredths. The gold medal went to the American Shaine Casas, with 49 seconds and 23 hundredths, and the silver went to