On August 11, 2023, Dimitris Markos achieved an impressive feat at the European Junior Men's Swimming Championships in Dublin. He secured the gold medal in the 200 meter freestyle event and set a national record for Greece. Markos completed the race in 1:46.65, surpassing the previous record of Andreas Vazaios set in 2022 (1:46.94).
This outstanding performance not only earned Markos the gold medal but also secured his spot in the Doha World Championships in 2024, as he surpassed the qualifying time of 1:47.06. Additionally, he came close to the Olympic qualification time of 1:46.26.
Markos's victory was historic for Greece, as he became the first athlete to win a medal in the European swimming championship for Young Men - Young Women (K23). In the intense final race, Markos displayed an incredible sprint, leaving behind his American competitors Patrick Simon (1:47.27) and Aaron Shekel (1:47.35).
The silver medal went to French swimmer Jean Le Goff, who finished with a time of 1:47.85, while Israeli swimmer Eitan Mesitrit claimed the bronze medal with a time of 1:48.01.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Markos expressed his joy for both the first-place finish and the gold medal. He also highlighted the significance of his record-breaking time and credited his good physical condition for his success.
