The University of Akron Athletics
Olympic Bronze Medalist Murphy Returns to Akron
August 24 | Track & Field
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PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO | PHOTO GALLERY
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron welcomed back one of its own honoring 2016 Olympic 800-meter bronze medalist and former Zips' All-American Clayton Murphy with a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.
Parlayed by his patented finishing kick, Murphy became the first United States men's 800-meter runner to win an Olympic medal since 1992, chasing down the bronze medal over the final 100 meters on the strength of the fifth-fastest time, 1:42.93, in American history, at the XXXI Summer Olympics on Monday, Aug. 15.
Murphy's effort shattered his previous career-best time of 1:44.30 set in the semifinal round on Saturday, Aug. 13, and enabled him to be the third-fastest American ever. Johnny Gray owns the top-three times of 1:42.60 (8/28/1985), 1:42.65 (8/17/88) and 1:42.80 (6/24/92) in American history, followed by Duane Solomon, 1:42.82 (8/9/12) and Murphy.
Murphy became the first United States men's runner to win an Olympic 800-meter medal since Gray in Barcelona, Spain in 1992, three years before Murphy was born.
Willy Kollman, Director of Alumni Relations at the University of Akron opened the press conference with some remarks on behalf of Interim President Matthew J. Wilson congratulating Murphy on his accomplishments and representing the University of Akron with distinction on the Olympic stage.
Christine Curry, Director of Communications for the City of Akron, then presented Murphy a proclamation from Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan declaring Aug. 24, 2016, as "Clayton Murphy Day" in the City of Akron.
