It’s a girl!
Team USA swimmer Ryan Murphy was not only celebrating after winning another Olympic medal after his session on Monday, he also learned he’ll become a father to a baby girl in the coming months.
Murphy, who won the bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke on Monday night, looked up in the stands after his race to see his wife, Brigitte Kontinen, holding up a sign that read, “Ryan, it’s a girl!”
“I was walking back and Bridget was holding up a sign that said, ‘Ryan, it’s a girl,'” Murphy said. “That was the first time I heard the gender.”
Murphy, a seven-time Olympic medal winner, told reporters after the swim that the baby girl is due in January.
“We both honestly thought we were going to have a boy,” the Olympian continued.
“And everyone we talked to thought we were having a boy.”
2024 Paris Olympics
The 29-year-old won gold in Rio and bronze in Tokyo, and in Paris she won her third consecutive medal in the 100m backstroke.
Murphy, captain of the 2024 U.S. team, still holds the Olympic record in the event after winning in 2016.
Despite the excitement of standing on the Olympic podium for the third consecutive time, Murphy said her attention is definitely turning to news of her future children.
“I think that just lit me up,” he said, “and took the night to a whole other level.”
Murphy said he is excited about the changes becoming a father will inevitably bring to his life.
“Swimming has really been the most important thing in my life up until now,” he said. “Almost every big decision I make has been with swimming in mind, but that’s going to change now and I’m really excited to see what’s to come.”
Murphy is scheduled to return to the pool on Wednesday to compete in the 200-meter backstroke.
