First U.S. medal at the Paris Olympics goes to a former Gopher

The United States' first medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics went to a former Gopher.

Diver Sarah Bacon, a five-time NCAA champion at the University of Minnesota , won silver with partner Kassidy Cook in women's synchronized 3-meter springboard.

Bacon's time with the Gophers isn't the duo's only Minnesota connection. They train in Minneapolis with Gophers diving coach Wenbo Chen, who is with them at the Olympics. Chen also coached Kelci Bryant, who won silver in the event at the 2012 London Olympics and also competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Bacon and Cook's silver medals are the first won by U.S. national team members during this year's Games, which opened on July 26. Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen of China took gold in the event, while Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen of Great Britain won bronze.

The 27-year-old Bacon, who missed qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Games, will also compete in the individual 3-meter springboard, which will be held on Aug. 7.

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