Ryan Murphy

American backstroke specialist who swept both individual backstroke events at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has anchored multiple world-record medley relays.

Born on April 6, 1995, in Chicago, Illinois, the future backstroke champion grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he developed his swimming skills at the Bolles School, a renowned institution for producing elite swimmers. Murphy's talent emerged early under the guidance of experienced coaches who recognized his natural aptitude for backstroke events. Murphy's breakthrough came during his collegiate years at the University of California, Berkeley, where he dominated NCAA competition while training under coach Dave Durden. His rise to international prominence culminated at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he delivered spectacular performances that established him as the world's premier backstroker. He captured gold medals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke events, setting Olympic records in both disciplines. His underwater dolphin kick technique and powerful stroke mechanics became textbook examples of backstroke excellence. The swimmer's defining achievements include his world record performances and sustained dominance across multiple international competitions. At the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Murphy continued his winning streak, claiming gold medals in his signature events. His rivalry with Russian swimmer Evgeny Rylov produced some of the most compelling backstroke racing in recent memory, pushing both athletes to exceptional performances. Murphy successfully defended his Olympic titles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, though facing increased competition from international rivals. Murphy's technical innovations, particularly his underwater work and streamlined approach, have influenced backstroke training methods worldwide. His consistency at the highest level, maintaining world-leading times across multiple Olympic cycles, demonstrates remarkable longevity in a demanding sport. Beyond individual achievements, his contributions to American relay teams have been substantial, often providing crucial leads during backstroke legs. Murphy's career represents a golden era for American backstroke swimming, inspiring a new generation of swimmers while cementing his status among the greatest backstrokers in competitive swimming history.

Technical backstroke specialist with exceptional underwater phase

One of the greatest backstroke swimmers in history

• 2016 Olympic gold, 100m & 200m backstroke, 4x100 medley relay (WR leg)
• 2020 Olympic gold, 4x100 medley relay (WR)