WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Bobby Finke is ready for the Summer Olympics in Paris. The Clearwater, Florida, native qualified for two events during the Olympic Trials earlier this summer.
Finke won silver Tuesday in the 800-meter freestyle with Daniel Wiffen of Ireland winning gold with an Olympic record time of 7:38.19. Gregorio Paltrinieri of Italy won the bronze.
He'll also be competing in the 1500-meter freestyle race on Aug 4. He won gold in both events in the Tokyo Games in 2021. He became the first male American to win gold in the 1500m race for the first time since 1984 when Mike O'Brien took the top podium spot in Los Angeles.
Finke said winning again will not define how he views success during the Paris Games.
"Deep down it's really just making sure I can walk away knowing I did the best I could," Finke said. "Whether that is two golds or it's silvers or getting on the podium, as long as I can walk away and realize that I did whatever I could I'll be happy.”
Finke said representing Team USA is an honor he doesn’t take lightly.
"Being able to be on the most elite team, the elite country out there, and competing at the games, it's not an easy thing to do, so to be able to be a part of that is truly incredible," Finke said. "Wearing the name on your cap, having a flag there, and walking out and hopefully standing on the podium and listening to all the national anthems is it's really amazing."
Finke graduated from the University of Florida in December.