NANTERRE, FRANCE – JULY 27: Nic Fink of Team United States reacts after competing in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke Heats on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on July 27, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Al Bello/Getty ImagesUniversity of Georgia Alum, Nic Fink, has earned a silver medal in swimming at the 2024 Olympics for Team USA. But this isn't his first time bringing home some bling for the country.
According to NBC News, Fink is quite the decorated swimmer. First of all, he's a six-time World Championship gold medalist. Fink also competed in the men's 200-meter breaststroke event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he placed fifth.
On Sunday, Fink competed in the men's 100-meter breaststroke, where he tied for silver with Great Britain's Adam Peaty. He even got a shout out on Instagram from his alma mater, the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor's degree.
Who Is Nic Fink?
Nic Fink isn't just a 31-year-old swimmer. He is also a husband, father-to-be, and a full-time engineer. After earning his bachelor's degree at the University of Georgia, Fink earned his master's degree in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech in 2022.
Fink grew up in Morristown, New Jersey before coming to Georgia for college. And surprisingly, Fink admitted he didn't really like swimming when he was growing up. But by the time he was in high school, he got involved with the high school swim squad and developed a passion and discipline for the sport. From there, he continued to hone his skills while competing and getting his degrees.
Now, Fink works works remotely for Quanta Utility Engineering Services from his home in Dallas, Texas. So on top of extensive training to compete in the Olympics, he also works full-time. But that's not all.
Fink also has to balance married life, along with work and training. But his wife is someone who can at least understand what it takes to compete in the Olympics. His wife, Melanie Margalis Fink, earned an Olympic gold medal for Team USA in swimming back in 2016.
Melanie unfortunately wasn't able to join Nic in Paris for the Olympics this year, but for good reason. She's expecting their first child that's due in September. And with a growing family and full-time career, will Fink retire from swimming after this year? He's not sure yet. He told ESPN he doesn't want to "say anything definitive" but the 2028 Olympics in L.A. is just 4 years away. He said "home Olympics would be pretty cool."
According to ESPN, Fink is the oldest member of the U.S. swim team at the Olympics, and became the oldest first-time medalist in U.S. swimming history since 1904.
