Olympic Legend Ryan Murphy Returns at 31 for LA 2028

Ryan Murphy isn't done making waves yet. This weekend, the 31-year-old backstroke legend returns to competitive swimming for the first time since becoming a father, proving that champions know exactly when to step back and when to dive back in.

Murphy's career reads like a highlight reel of American swimming history. He swept both backstroke golds at the 2016 Olympics, joining an exclusive club of only six men to accomplish that feat. Over his career, he racked up 44 international medals and became one of the sport's most reliable performers.

After the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he earned his fifth individual backstroke medal and helped set a world record in the mixed relay, Murphy did something he'd never done before. He stepped away completely. He spent a year watching his daughter Eevi grow, experiencing life beyond the pool, and letting his body rest after nearly two decades of elite competition.

The American men's team felt his absence immediately. At the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, the backstroke squad struggled with historically poor results. No American man broke 53 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke at the qualifying meet, and illness-plagued swimmers could barely crack the top 16 at Worlds.

Now Murphy is back, entered in both the 100 and 50-meter backstroke events at this weekend's USA Swimming Pro Series in Sacramento. His top entry time of 52.08 seconds from that Olympic relay still stands as the benchmark American men desperately need.

Why This Inspires

Murphy's comeback story isn't just about reclaiming past glory. It's about a father and athlete showing that taking time for family doesn't mean giving up on dreams. He deliberately chose to miss major competitions to be present for his daughter's first year, a decision that speaks volumes about his priorities.

The timing of his return centers on one golden opportunity: the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Murphy will have the chance to compete in front of 38,000 fans at SoFi Stadium on home soil, in an event that now includes his third race, the 50-meter backstroke. It's the kind of storybook ending that doesn't come around often.

His first test comes this weekend after 22 months away, followed by U.S. Nationals in July. Murphy faces younger competitors like Will Modglin and Daniel Diehl, both a decade his junior, but his experience and that home-crowd motivation might be exactly what he needs.

One of swimming's all-time backstroke greats is proving you can take a break, be a present parent, and still chase one more dream when it really matters.