Clayton Murphy, 21, returned from the run of his life in Rio de Janeiro to his old stomping grounds at InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron on Wednesday.
Murphy, a former Zips' All-American in track and field, was the first United States men's 800-meter runner to win an Olympic medal since 1992 when he took bronze in Rio. His time of 1:42.93 was the fifth-fastest time in American history and the fastest of Murphy's career.
Akron's mayor Dan Horrigan also declared Wednesday is #ClaytonMurphyDay on social media.
Mayor Horrigan proclaimed today #ClaytonMurphyDay in Akron! @uakron welcomed their 2016 Bronze Olympiad back today! pic.twitter.com/7a92flQpyk
— City of Akron, Ohio (@AkronOhioMayor) August 24, 2016
RELATED: Two University of Akron students head to Rio Olympics
Murphy qualified for the 2016 Olympics after he won the 800-meter title at the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. He's the first Zip to ever compete in the Olympics. Murphy turned pro for Team Nike prior to the Rio Olympics.
Olympic Bronze Medalist Clayton Murphy Returns to Akron. @ZipsTFCC https://t.co/MomkrLsj7E pic.twitter.com/KPCAQqUcR5
— Akron Zips Track/CC (@ZipsTFCC) August 24, 2016
