Olympic swimmer Ryan Murphy may have just won bronze in Paris, but the real gold came when his wife, Bridget, surprised him with a sign announcing they're expecting a baby girl in January.

While Ryan Murphy's bronze in the men's 100-meter backstroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics adds to his impressive medal count, it was the revelation that he's about to become a dad that truly stole the spotlight. With a sign that read 'Ryan, it’s a girl!', his wife Bridget caught him off guard, lighting up his evening and shifting his priorities from Olympic glory to impending fatherhood. The baby, due in January, marks a joyous personal milestone that, according to Murphy, has already begun to reshape his view on what really matters in life.

Murphy’s bronze finish in Paris brought his total Olympic medal count to seven, spanning across three different Games. The seasoned athlete has previously taken home gold in Rio and bronze in Tokyo, showcasing a consistent prowess in backstroke events worldwide. Seems like Murphy collects Olympic medals the way some people collect stamps!

The gender reveal, which took place just after the race, added an unexpected sparkle to Murphy’s Olympic experience. At 29 years old, the swimmer had already seen plenty of high-pressure moments, but none quite like this. Bridget’s sign turned what would have been merely a celebratory evening into a significantly memorable one. Murphy described the moment as something that 'lit him up,' as he found out he was not only a medalist but also set to become the father of a baby girl. He jokingly added that they might need to start practicing diaper changes instead of turns.

Bridget and Ryan had both believed they might be welcoming a boy, a notion that made the pink announcement all the more surprising. Residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Murphy and his wife have been preparing for their new arrival since their marriage in September. The public reveal was an event in itself, turning an Olympic setting into a picturesque backdrop for the joyous news. Ryan later joked that they might need to trade some of his blue medals for pink ones to match the announcement.

Murphy admitted that the perspective provided by the upcoming addition to his family has already started to recalibrate his life’s priorities. 'Swimming has always been incredibly important to me, but learning I’m going to be a father changes everything,' he said. He even joked, 'I guess it's time to trade in some of those swimming medals for diaper duty.' This newfound state of mind could be a driving force behind his future competitions, possibly giving him even more to fight for in the pool.

As he looks toward the next hurdle, Murphy will be swimming in the 200-meter backstroke event on Wednesday. Carrying the momentum of his bronze win and the delightful news from his wife, spectators and fans are eagerly watching to see how these life changes might buoy his performance in future races.

Murphy’s journey to Olympic stardom began when he moved from Chicago to Jacksonville as a young child. His early experiences in the Sunshine State’s swimming circuits, like discovering the fine line between an alligator sighting and your fastest lap, shaped him into the athlete he is today, holding onto lessons learned from years of competition. But even with so many accolades, this recent turn of events has Murphy focusing on much more than medals.

With the baby girl due in January, there is much to look forward to in the Murphy household. Friends, family, and fans alike are flooding the couple with congratulations, eager to meet the newest member of the Murphy family. As for Murphy himself, fatherhood seems to be the next medal he’s most excited to wear, offering a new dimension to his already glittering legacy.

For now, the dual achievement of Olympic success and the impending joy of fatherhood means the world will see a different side of Ryan Murphy, both in the pool and at home. He may still be training rigorously for upcoming competitions, but his heart and mind are clearly set on the significant, life-altering adventure that awaits him and Bridget. Ryan joked that balancing rigorous training and diaper duty will be his new kind of cross-training.

'We’re thrilled beyond words,' Murphy said, already looking ahead to the sleepless nights and endless rewards that come with being a parent. While the Olympic pool has been the stage for his competitive spirit, it’s clear that the crib and baby nursery will soon become focal points of his world.