U.S. swimmer Bobby Finke achieved a significant milestone by winning gold and setting a new world record in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle final at the Olympics in Nanterre, France.
Finke started with a slim lead and faced stiff competition from Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri throughout the race. However, he gained a decisive edge in the last hundred meters, finishing with a time of 14:30:67, nearly four seconds ahead of his opponent. This victory shattered the previous world record held by China’s Sun Yang from the 2012 London Olympics.
After the race, Finke reflected on his performance, noting he was aware of being close to the record pace. He expressed pride in his accomplishment despite the grueling final stretch, which he described as particularly painful.
With this victory, Finke becomes the first American male swimmer to win an individual gold medal in Paris. His triumph, along with a subsequent win in the women’s 4×100 meter medley relay, brings the total number of gold medals for U.S. swimmers in Paris to eight.
Paltrinieri earned the silver medal, while Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen took home the bronze. Finke had previously gained recognition by winning the same event in Tokyo, marking him as the first American to do so since 1984. Additionally, he secured a silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle at the Paris Games.
As the Olympic swimming events conclude at the La Défense Arena, the schedule continues with the men’s and women’s outdoor 10,000-meter marathon swimming competitions taking place in the Seine River later this week.