VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Swimmer Bobby Finke Says He’s ‘Never Satisfied,’ Wants More Gold In Paris 2024

Bobby Finke, the American swimmer who stunned the world with his dramatic performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, is setting his sights on Paris 2024 with a renewed sense of determination and a desire for more success.

Finke, who took home gold medals in both the men’s 800-meter and 1500-meter freestyle events in Tokyo, reflected on his unexpected triumphs. “It’s definitely something that really came all of a sudden,” Finke said. “Was I prepared for it? No, not really. But I think that’s kind of what added to the fun of it – you know, all my dreams kind of happened at once.”

Despite the initial shock of his success, Finke emphasized that his achievements have only fueled his ambition for future victories. “Part of me still wants more, and that’s kind of what I’m going into for this Paris Olympic Games. I want to keep doing this and keep putting my best foot forward and keep trying to win.”

When asked about his motivation, Finke explained that his drive stems from a personal dissatisfaction and a continuous pursuit of excellence. “I actually haven’t found it hard to really motivate myself to keep going just because I’m not satisfied enough with myself. I want more, and that’s kind of what I’m thinking about every day,” he said. “I’m thinking about winning. I’m thinking about racing the people who have pushed me to be my best. Which is a ton of swimmers right now.”

Finke’s approach to mental preparation for races is simple. “I really don’t do too much, I’m pretty simple,” he admitted. “I don’t really listen to music before I race. I kind of like sitting there in my own silence and thinking about when’s this race going to start hurting kind of thing so I’m prepared for when it does. And also the one thing I do tell myself is to stay calm.”

Looking ahead to Paris 2024, Finke acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with competing in another Olympic Games. “We got our trials in June, so in about two months if I’m fortunate enough to go to Paris I don’t really know what to expect,” he said.

Reflecting on the unique challenges of Tokyo 2020, where athletes faced stringent COVID-19 restrictions, Finke noted, “Tokyo was such an oddball of an Olympics. No fans there, you couldn’t really go out and explore. Everybody was in their own bubbles trying to prevent any kind of spread or contamination.”

While he admits to having zero expectations for Paris, Finke’s focus remains on the present moment and the immediate goals ahead. “If I make it, I’m going in with zero expectations just because I have no idea what it can be.”

Finke, a University of Florida alum, has quickly become one of the most promising talents in American swimming. His performance in Tokyo not only showcased his endurance and competitive spirit but also marked him as a formidable contender in long-distance freestyle events.

On Tuesday, Finke won silver for 800m freestyle – just a .75 second behind gold medal winner, Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen.