Ryan Murphy, a familiar face on the Olympic podium, secured a bronze medal in the men’s 100m backstroke at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, the biggest surprise of the evening wasn’t his third-place finish, but rather the joyous news revealed by his wife, Bridget Konttinen, after the medal ceremony. Holding up a sign, Bridget surprised Murphy with the news they were having a baby girl. The seven-time Olympic medalist, who married Konttinen last year, expressed his delight, sharing that their first child is due in January.
Murphy, known for his consistent performance in the 100m backstroke, had previously won gold in Rio and bronze in Tokyo. Though he fell short of a second gold medal in Paris, finishing behind Italy’s Thomas Ceccon and China’s Xu Jiayu, he remained positive, praising the competition. Murphy attributed his continued success to his ability to quickly adapt and reframe his perspective, emphasizing that while winning is always the goal, he felt no disappointment in achieving a bronze medal against such talented competitors.
Despite the excitement of the impending arrival of their daughter, Murphy’s focus remained on his performance at the Olympics. He acknowledged the pressure of the competition and commended Ceccon and Xu Jiayu for their skills and composure. The American athlete’s performance in Paris serves as another testament to his dedication and commitment to the sport. This exciting news adds a new chapter to Murphy’s life, one that promises to be filled with love, laughter, and the joy of welcoming a new member to their family.
