Who would’ve thought a full-time engineer would swim his way to Olympic glory? Nic Fink concluded his second Summer Games stint by taking home 3 medals—1 gold and 2 silvers. However, he has been somewhat of a late bloomer. The swimmer claimed his maiden Olympic medal at the París La Défense Arena in July! But even though he had to share the silver medal with Adam Peaty, the 31-year-old etched his name in history as the oldest U.S. Olympic swimming medalist after an astounding 120 years. 

But the Olympics are long gone, and the swimmer has moved on to a new chapter in his life. USA Swimming announced they would elect two individuals to the Board of Directors. While one would be an independent member, the other would be a 10-year member athlete. On September 28, they announced the reelection of Kathy Fish and Nic Fink to open seats in the Board of Directors at the Annual Business Meeting in Denver.

What were the requirements? In the last 10 years, the nominee would have represented the United States in the World Championships, Parapan American Games, Olympics, Paralympics, or any other events delegated by the USOPC and USA Swimming. Nic Fink may have won his first Olympic medals in 2024, but the breaststroker had an illustrious career for about 10 years. While at the University of Georgia, the swimmer contested in the 2013, 2015, and 2017 World Championship teams. He even pulled off second-place finishes in the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Championships in the 100-yard breaststroke. 

However, he isn’t the only athlete representative on the Board of Directors. The swimmer will join Maya DiRado Andrews, Ashley Twitchell, Anthony Ervin, and Natalie Coughlin. He will replace Katie Meili. However, this isn’t his first rodeo. The 31-year-old was the Vice Chair of USA Swimming’s Athletes’ Advisory Council for the last 2 years.

What does the council do? They advise on rules services, review programs, and other projects regarding National Team athletes. However, Nic Fink’s life outside the pool also involves working at the Quanta Utility Engineering Services. His full-time assistant project manager job didn’t keep him away from his Olympic dream. But one question remains: will we see the swimmer compete on his home turf?

Nic Fink opens up about what the future holds for him

After failing to medal at the Tokyo Summer Games, the swimmer earned his master’s in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech. However, things turned around for him in Paris. The quartet of himself, Torri Huske, Ryan Murphy, and Gretchen Walsh clinched a gold in the mixed 4x100m medley relay with a new world record-breaking time of 3:37:43. They shattered Great Britain’s record of 3:37:58 from the Tokyo Olympics.

Nic Fink also snagged 2 silver medals in the men’s 4×100 medley relay and the men’s 100m breaststroke. But this has only made the Olympian hungry for more. When asked how he felt after the 100m breaststroke event, the swimmer revealed he was happy with how swimming was going for him. Did that mean he would be back in 4 years? “LA is only four years away, and a home Olympics would be pretty cool,” the swimmer confessed.

However, nothing was set in stone. The swimmer’s homecoming event consisted of a one-hour shift at Raising Cane’s in Northwest Dallas. The Olympian served customers and also got to prepare one of his favorites, Cane’s sauce. He opened up about his Parisian experience, the medals he won, a full-time job, and his baby on the way over some chicken fingers. Quite a combination, don’t you think?

But as per usual, the conversation pivoted to LA 2028 again. Nic Fink would be 35 by the time 2028 rolls around. So, with so much happening, what’s the consensus? “I think I’m ready to take a break before I make any decisions, and LA 2028 is a long way away. So, even if I do make a decision, who knows when it’s gonna be?” he told The Dallas Morning News. We don’t know if the swimmer would contest on his home turf. But for now, we know what the swimmer will focus on.