Three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Ryan Murphy joined NBC Sports’ “Lunch Talk Live” show with host Mike Tirico Wednesday to discuss the Olympic postponement and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on his training plans.
Featuring a number of other big names from across the world of sports, the segment aired during the hour-long segment from between noon and 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Other guests include Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, “NHL on NBC” analysts Keith Jones and Brian Boucher, and NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen.
Murphy called in live from Berkeley, CA, where he’s remained since wrapping up his NCAA career in 2017.
“The entire process of getting ready to perform at such a high level seems like such a distant memory at this point… Now I am just looking forward to the summer of 2021,” Murphy said when asked about his preparation for the Olympics.
Tirico goes on to ask if what Murphy thought should be done about postponing the Games ahead of the formal decision, to which Murphy says he was prepared to just roll with the fallout of any outcome for the sake of public health.
“It was challenging to have that maturity — to realize that it’s not all about sports, and we’ve got to protect our communities,” Murphy said.
Murphy confirmed that Cal swimmers don’t have access to the school’s facilities, but says the group has some pool access elsewhere.
“We are still operating on a couple days schedules,” Murphy said. “Some days we are going to have pool access and other days we won’t and that is just how it is.”
Murphy adds that he was feeling good about his preparation for Tokyo 2020 ahead of the postponement.
“I was confident. I was putting together some practices that I had never done before,” he says. “So, I felt like I was in a really, really, really awesome spot… I was really ready to go… I feel like we can chalk up this year as a win.”
Watch Murphy’s full interview below.
I was actually disappointed by his attitude. It came across that all he cares about is the Olympic year, which probably explains why Murphy has had less than stellar individual performances at World Championships. If every swimmer (and coaches like Durden) take the tack that only the Olympics matter, the sport will not progress at all or receive necessary funding at the national and collegiate levels at a time when dollars are already tight.
Wow, Ryan is an amazing interview! He’s relaxed, interesting, amusing and genuine. What a great role-model and representative for our sport!
I noted the same thing with Coleman’s interview with him, especially how it felt like Coleman had to pull responses from some swimmers. Relaxed and genuine, just as if you were sitting down having a normal conversation and not a “scheduled interview”. The world needs more Ryan Murphy, if he’s interested. Seems very likeable by all of the athletes as well.
What an upbeat and sensible attitude Ryan Murphy has about the postponement of the 2020 Games! No whining from him—he’s staying positive in the here and now, and looking without bitterness (that I could detect) to the future. Go Golden Bears!