At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Ryan earned a gold medal as a member of the US foursome that won the 4x100m freestyle relay. Five years later – the Tokyo Games having been delayed for one year due to the pandemic – it seemed that Ryan had earned relay selection again via a sixth place finish in the Trials’ 100m freestyle. Historically, the US had always taken six relay swimmers to the Games, in order to have extra competitors for the prelims. COVID-imposed roster limitations, however, meant that, this time, Ryan would not make the trip. “I was left off the team by a technicality,” he recalled. “It was just heartbreaking. It was.”
Three years later and, now 29 years old, Ryan is back on Team USA’s 4x100m freestyle relay squad courtesy of a fifth place finish in the 100m freestyle at this year’s Trials.
Paris Result:
Gold medal, 4x100m freestyle relay team (3:09.28); Preliminary round swimmer.