(Twitter/RyanMurphy)
On Monday, Olympic rookie Ryan Murphy won the gold in the mens 100m backstroke with an impressive time of 51.97– a new Olympic record. After the race, the 21-year-old told NBC, “That was a really fast final. Everyone stepped up their game, and I was lucky that my game was a little bit better tonight. I’m super happy with the result, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet.” Tonight, Murphy will be competing in the Men’s 200m backstroke, where he hopes to bring home another gold. His parents, Pat and Katy, will be cheering their son on from the sidelines, just as they have since day one.
Read on to find out moe about Pat and Katy.
1. Ryan Wrote Them a Letter as a Child Saying He Would Become an Olympian
Ryan Murphy wrote this when he was a young boy. Ryan, this isn’t the end – it’s just the beginning! #Rio2016
Though Ryan is only 21, he always knew he was destined for the Olympics. When he was just 8-years-old, he wrote his parents a letter that read, “I hope my swimming life continues and I become an Olympian when I grow up. I hope I will break records. I want to be the best swimmer in the world.” He included a drawing of himself wearing a large gold medal around his neck. NBC posted the adorable hand-written note after Murphy won Monday’s race.
Though he fulfilled the dream of receiving a gold medal, he was shy of setting a new world record. Fortunately, Murphy’s only 21, and in the words of NBC, “it’s just the beginning!”
2. They Have Three Children
Pat and Katy have three children: Shannon (24), Patrick (23), and Ryan (21). Both of Ryan’s older siblings competed in swimming when they were younger, which motivated Ryan, the youngest, to give it a go. In an interview earlier this year, Katy told Swim Swan that while she mothers all her children similarly by showing them unconditional love, each of them is unique, and she makes sure to keep that in in mind. “All three of my children are over-achievers, but at different points in their lives, their level of motivation varied. In terms of academics, while I sometimes needed to tell Shannon that she had studied enough and was plenty prepared for her test the next day, I needed to tell Ryan that maybe he should review his notes one more time. Also, I tried to provide proper perspective, based on realistic goals for the future.”
In a recent article titled “What Is It Like to Having A Superstar Brother? Patrick Murphy Answers”, Ryan’s brother does just that– he talks about what it’s like having an Olympian for a brother. Patrick writes, “I watched him beat 18-year-olds when he was in 7th grade. I watched him knock seniors off of the state medley relay when he was in 8th grade. I realized that I was not alone anymore. My brother had a gift.”
3. Katy Is a Math Teacher
Katy and Pat were very involved in their kids’ lives. As a math teacher, Katy always approached her children’s’ struggles rationally, though she learned that sometimes, there was no rhyme or reason to how things worked out. Katy told Swim Swam, “I am a math teacher, so my tendency is to view everything logically. It’s taken me a while to realize that there isn’t always a reason for things to not go as planned. As far as how I tried to help Ryan, I would simply listen if he wanted to talk, or give him a hug and tell him I loved him and not talk about it. And, ice cream always helped!”
4. Pat Coached Ryan in Soccer
Ryan Murphy competes in the final heat for the Men’s 200 Meter Backstroke. (Getty)
When their kids were young, Pat volunteered as a coach for Ryan and Patrick’s soccer team. Katy, meanwhile, acted as the team mom for a variety of sports and clubs. When asked what the best part about being a mom was, Katy said, “This is an easy question, and my answer will be shorter. The best part about being a swim mom is the FRIENDS you make.” She cites the time Ryan and Patrick earned 2nd on the Junior Olympic Relay together as one of her favorite memories.
In his article, Patrick writes, “Yes, Ryan crushed me when I was younger, but I never would have reached my goals without him. Yes, he still beats me in every event, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I will always be Ryan’s biggest fan. He showed me how to dream big.”
5. They Have Been Worried About Safety in Rio
(Getty)
It’s no surprise that athletes are a bit nervous about being in Rio this summer, and with the violence, economic unrest, and health concerns, many athletes and their parents are taking extra precautions to ensure a smooth ride at the Olympics. The New York Times writes, “In one recent fortnight, 10 people were killed and 50 schools were closed because of shootings resulting from police searches.” Phelps, who has led a number of swim clinics in the favelas during his four trips to Brazil, even showed some nerves this summer with the security regulations in place. He has paid to have a private security to protect his family, including his 2-month-old baby, while they travel to Rio to support him.
And as Ryan Murphy’s parents pointed, the difficulty with swimming is that begins and ends late. Pat told the New York Times, “When finals are getting out at 1 in the morning and you have to travel a distance to get back, it’s a challenge.” Fortunately, Pat was able to arrange for an English-speaking driver to shuttle he and his family around Brazil to ensure their safety.