Jersey Native Nic Fink Captures Silver Medal

Morristown, New Jersey native Nic Fink captured the silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Paris Olympics over the weekend, making him the oldest first-time American, 31 years old, to win an Olympic medal in 120 years.

Fink has an incredible story. He sat down for an interview to talk about his swimming career, and balancing that with a 9-5 job, marriage, and soon, fatherhood. He and his wife, Melanie Margalis Fink, are expecting their first child in a few weeks.

Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Fink attended Pingry School before swimming collegiately at Georgia University where his dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete took firm footing.

After competing in the Pan Pacific Championships in 2014, the Olympic trials in 2016, and the Pan Am Games in 2019, Fink finally made the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He qualified for the semifinals in the 200-meter breaststroke, placing fifth overall.

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Four years later, while juggling both family life, and a full-time job with Quanta Utility Engineering Services -- he holds a masters in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech, Fink made it all the way back to the Olympics.

He won his qualifier in the 100-meter breaststroke in June, and four weeks later, he was in Paris competing and earning an Olympic medal.

The race on Sunday was a dramatic one. Fink was out-touched by just .02 of a second by Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy - who wound up winning gold and tied with Adam Peaty of Great Britain for the silver.

Fink was quoted by ESPN as saying: "I was ready to move on to other stages while still trying to keep a high level in swimming. I think having the job really helps me compartmentalize everything. And if you have a bad day in the pool, it really takes your mind off things and kind of keeps you focused on other things in life. So that's why I like telling people to stay well-rounded and stay balanced because I think it only really helps in the pool."

The 2024 Olympic Games are now underway in Paris, but not without a little Olympic Torch help from two famous American artists: Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams. (See photos below.)

As part of the traditional Olympic Torch relay, Snoop and Pharrell played significant roles in the final legs of the flame's journey Friday night in Paris.

Snoop danced and celebrated with fans during his phase of the relay, enjoying the moment with huge smiles along Seine-Saint-Denis in France. "Did something today," Snoop said in a social media post, showing off his smile with the torch.

Pharrell got an even bigger role, as he was the final torch-bearer before the flame started its final journey up the River Seine. Photos show the "Happy" singer placing the torch into a case, before a masked man took it on its final legs.

The torch relay culminated with a dramatic finish that looked like it was going to end at the Eiffel Tower, but saw the torch go back onto the Seine, where famous world athletes Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci brought it toward the finish.

Snoop and Pharrell were part of a group of hundreds who have brought the Olympic Flame from Athens, Greece to Paris. According to Olympic officials, the journey began on May 8 and wound through over 400 towns and cities.

Snoop said in a recent interview with PBS that he was looking forward to his Olympic Torch moment.

"I look at this as a prestigious honor and something I truly respect. I would have never dreamed of nothing like this," he said. "I’m going to be on my best behavior. I’m going to be on my best athleticism. I’ll be able to breathe slow to walk fast and hold the torch with a smile on my face, because I realize how prestigious this event is."

The 2024 Olympic Games actually began Wednesday, with soccer and rugby matches, but the Opening Ceremonies were held in the rain on Friday evening in Paris. U.S. audiences could watch the ceremonies live, or on a rebroadcast on NBC Friday night.