At the 2008 Olympics she swam for France; after her marriage to Frenchman Frédéric Vergnoux in early 2005.

She married Vergnoux, her coach, in early 2005, and became a French citizen a few months following the marriage (June).

[3] Because of this timing, Popchanka was unable to swim at the 2005 World Championships to defend her 200 m freestyle title from 2003.

Leading up to the 2008 Olympics, the couple lived in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Vergnoux coached from 2004 to 2008.

[4] Vergnoux is notable in his own right: during his time in Edinburgh, he was twice named British Coach of the Year.