How a sibling rivalry led swimmer Ryan Murphy toward Olympic glory
After a young Ryan Murphy moved from Palos Heights, Illinois, to Florida, his parents suggested that the family go to their local community pool to make friends — an idea they never knew would lead their youngest child to six Olympic medals and counting.
After a young Ryan Murphy moved from Palos Heights, Illinois, to Florida, his parents suggested that the family go to their local community pool to make friends — an idea they never knew would lead their youngest child to six Olympic medals and counting.
As the youngest of the three children, Murphy was the last to touch the pool.
He watched as his oldest sister, who already knew how to swim, immediately got into the water. The following summer, Murphy said his older brother was also proficient enough to join in.
“I was just the young kid running around with my life vest on, chomping at the bit so I could play with my older siblings,” Murphy told reporter Alex Maragos.
Murphy’s story is featured in NBC Chicago’s new series focused on Chicago-area Olympians, “Hometown Hopefuls: Road to Paris.”
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