Sports

Tokyo 2021: University Of MN Alum Wins Olympic Gold Medal

Sunday's victory means Gophers have won a gold medal in two consecutive summer Olympics.

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Bowe Becker of Team United States jumps into the water during aquatics training at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Bowe Becker of Team United States jumps into the water during aquatics training at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

University of Minnesota alum Bowe Becker can now call himself an Olympic gold medalist after he and his 4x100 meter freestyle relay came in first in Tokyo Sunday night.

Becker, who graduated in 2019, and his team finished with a winning time of 3:08.97.

"We could not be happier for Bowe and his teammates," said Minnesota head coach Kelly Kremer in a statement. "That was a huge swim for him, for the U.S. and certainly for Minnesota and our program!"

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Becker's gold means Gophers have won gold medals in two consecutive summer Olympics. Minnesota alum David Plummer won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter medley relay in the 2016 games.

Nine Gophers have medaled all-time in Olympic history.

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Minnesotans Kierra Smith and James Freeman also swam in events Sunday but did not medal. Smith competed in the women's 100-meter breaststroke. Freeman competed in the men's 200-meter freestyle.

Also read: Lakeville Olympian Sets Record, Heads To Backstroke Finals

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