Bobby Finke reacts to Shanon Sharpe awarding him $50,000 check for breaking world record at Paris Olympics 2024

Shannon Sharpe and Bobby Finke (Images via Getty)
Shannon Sharpe and Bobby Finke (Images: All via Getty)

American swimming icon Bobby Finke received a whopping $50,000 reward from former Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe for breaking the 1500m freestyle world record at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Olympic swimmer was shocked as Sharpe showed him the $50k check.

Finke returned to the Olympic stage in Paris, aiming to defend his 800m and 1500m freestyle titles from Tokyo. However, he was edged out in the 800m freestyle by Ireland's Daniel Wiffen, claiming silver with a time of 7:38.75, while Wiffen set an Olympic record of 7:38.19.

Following this, the 24-year-old swimmer contested the 1500m freestyle final on Sunday, August 4, where he once again faced Wiffen. Finke outpaced the field to reclaim the 1500m freestyle title with a time of 14:30.67. In doing so, he broke China's Sun Yang's world record of 14:31.02, which had stood since the 2012 London Olympics. Notably, this was also the first individual gold for the US men's swimming team at the Paris Olympics.

With his victory, Finke maintained the U.S. men’s unbroken streak of winning at least one individual swimming gold medal at every Olympics since 1900. In recognition of his achievement, Finke was invited onto the Nightcap podcast hosted by retired NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson on Friday. During the show, the Sharpe rewarded the 24-year-old swimmer with a $50,000 check. He reacted:

"oh god…oh my god, wow." [25:09 onwards]

Chad Johnson also jokingly challenged Finke to a swimming faceoff to earn the reward.

"Wait a minute, Bobby not now. In order to get that in its entirety when you come back to Florida, we have to race, 800 or 1500 whatever you want to do. If you can beat me it's all yours," Johnson stated.
"I'll do whatever you guys want. I'll do anything," Finke said in response.
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"Towards the end it was starting to hurt"-Bobby Finke on breaking 1500m freestyle world record at Paris Olympics

Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 9 - Source: Getty
Swimming - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 9 - Source: Getty

Bobby Finke became the first swimmer to win the 1500m freestyle gold at the Olympic Games since 1984 at Tokyo Olympics. Three years, he broke a long standing world record in the event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

"I could see I was half a body length to a body length in front of [the record] at times. I knew I was on that pace. That wasn’t really my focus, but I did hit the world record, so I’m really proud of that," he said. (via NPR)

He added:

"Toward the end it was starting to hurt a lot, especially that last 400 meters. But I knew it was going to hurt."

Bobby Finke had won both 800m freestyle and 1500m freestyle titles at the Tokyo Olympics. He could only defend the latter in Paris, settling for silver in the 800m freestyle.

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Edited by Pratham K Sharma
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