University of Minnesota Athletics
Plummer Wins Olympic Bronze
8/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
WATCH: Race video via NBC Olympics
David Plummer will return to Minnesota as an Olympic medalist. The 2008 Gophers graduate took bronze in the 100-meter backstroke Monday night in Rio. He is the University Minnesota swimming and diving program's first male American medalist since 1972.
Plummer, a first-time Olympian at age 30, took the second seed into the final. He raced in lane 5, next to fellow American and gold medalist Ryan Murphy. Plummer posted a time of 52.40 seconds to come in third. Murphy set an Olympic record in 51.97, and China's Xu Jiayu took silver in 52.31.
The medal-winning performance was historic for more than just Golden Gopher swimming. Plummer was the United States' oldest Olympic swimming rookie since 1904. This year marked his fourth time competing in Olympic Trials, and first time qualifying for the Games.
Before Plummer, Minnesota's last male American medalist was diver Craig Lincoln, who won bronze in 1972. He is technically the first male American Gopher to receive an Olympic medal, as Virgil Luken and Walt Richardson did not receive gold medals for their prelims swim in the 1964 medley relay.
Plummer is one of seven Gophers competing in Rio this summer and among the dozens of Gopher Olympians to compete over the Games' history. Please help support the next Gopher Olympian by giving to our Olympic sports programs. Click here for more information or to give today.
What They're Saying
Murphy, Plummer keep backstroke medal tradition alive (Team USA)
The Rookie II, starring U.S. bronze medalist David Plummer (ESPN)
Gopher swimming alumni gather to cheer their man (Star Tribune)
Video story: Plummer takes bronze in 100M backstroke (KARE11)
For Plummer and Meili, perseverance pays off (Swimming World)
Local Recaps: Star Tribune | Pioneer Press
Couldn't be happier to add to Team USA's medal count. My dream came true. pic.twitter.com/gi6OrZ0CY8
- David Plummer (@davideplummer) August 9, 2016
#TeamUSA couldn't be more proud! https://t.co/b0FUy5sgSv
- U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 9, 2016
AND @davideplummer takes home #Bronze in 100m backstroke!! Go #TeamUSA! pic.twitter.com/0I2vMm8XrB
- U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 9, 2016
Congratulations @davideplummer ! You are the best example of an Olympian I can imagine! @GideonLouwSwim @GopherSwimDive
- Kelly Kremer (@MNCoachKremer) August 9, 2016
Ryan Murphy does it! @USASwimming captures #Gold again! #Rio2016 #Swimming pic.twitter.com/GTCAYzSSvj
- NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2016
Before they were winners, they were all beginners. #Swimunited @davideplummer pic.twitter.com/u7SOdQf9Tw
- USA Swimming (@USASwimming) August 9, 2016
It was a phenomenal night in the pool for #TeamUSA !
🏊 https://t.co/AimvZnsiUY 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/j98wrOPVuE- U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 9, 2016
Did you see #TeamUSA's 100m backstroke FINAL? It was 🔥! pic.twitter.com/MbNckqq9ax
- U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 9, 2016
So proud to be with #Olympians @KathleenBaker2 @katiemeili @davideplummer pic.twitter.com/LkKTfaExql
- Al Roker (@alroker) August 9, 2016
SOOO HAPPY FOR THIS GUY!!@davideplummer pic.twitter.com/9Ay0qeMA2M
- Bolly Melk (@Belkx) August 9, 2016
.@ChrisHrapsky spoke with @davideplummer after his #bronze in the 100M backstroke. https://t.co/C0N3N7q03u #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/9gL7L9vRdG
- KARE 11 (@kare11) August 9, 2016
