The gold medal count in swimming is all tied up.
Bobby Finke scored the seventh gold medal in the pool in these Olympics for the United States on Sunday, setting a world-record 14:30.67 time in the 1500-meter freestyle and leading every stroke of the race to finish on the top step of the podium, ahead of Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri.
“I saw I had the lead at the 100 [meters to go], I was like, I really just gotta try to keep going,” Finke said. “Try to just stay ahead and keep the momentum going. Hopefully I can break a couple of guys. … It’s been quite a trip and I’m excited, we’re ending on a high note.”
Finke, who won 1500-meter gold in Tokyo, jumped out to an initial lead, but was challenged over the final 200 meters by Paltrinieri as the two challenged the world record time.
Bobby Finke celebrates winning the 1,500-meter freestyle gold at the Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. Getty Images
Bobby Finke reacts after winning the 1,500-meter freestyle gold at the Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. REUTERS
Headed into the final turn, however, Finke was over a second ahead of the Italian — a lead that only grew over the final lap.
“I saw Greg the whole time,” Finke told NBC’s Melissa Stark after the race. “I could peak at the board and see the world record line. I was just like, ‘Ah, s–t, here we go.’ Just happy to get the gold.”
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Distance swimming has been the best discipline for the United States in the Paris Games, as Katie Ledecky won the 1500-meter and 800-meter races on the women’s side, while Finke also got silver in the men’s 800-meter.
“I was kinda pissed after the 800,” Finke said. “Just get it going and get this one done. World-record time my first one. I’m really, really happy.”
This gold, however, is crucial because it gives the U.S. a chance to claw back the top spot in the meet, on the last day of the Olympic swim competition.
Bobby Finke competes in the 1,500-meter freestyle final at the Olympics on Aug. 4, 2024. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY SportsThe United States has the most overall medals by a wide margin, but golds have been few and far between as the likes of France’s Leon Marchand and Canada’s Summer McIntosh have starred.
Finke, a native of Tampa, might just be changing that.
“I felt like I heard the screaming for the last 100,” Finke said. “I know I’m on the line. I know [Paltrinieri] came home really hard and I just gotta do whatever I can to try and stay ahead of that world-record line.”
Mission accomplished.
