US swimmer Katharine Berkoff wins Olympic bronze in same event as father exactly 32 years later

For this swimmer, backstroke medals run in the family 32 years later.

Team USA swimmer Katharine Berkoff, 23, followed in her father’s footsteps Tuesday by winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke on the same day her father, David, won a bronze in the same event in 1992.

It’s really cool,” Katharine Berkoff told reporters on deck, still out of breath from her stunning race.

“It was really special. I’m super glad to be able to be in my dad’s footsteps,” she added.

Berkoff, who made her Olympic debut with the event Tuesday, finished just .32 seconds behind her teammate and world-record holder Regan Smith, who claimed silver, and .65 seconds behind the Australian swimmer and Olympic-record holder, Kaylee McKeown, who claimed gold.

The race had spectators on the edge of their seats, with Olympic rookie Berkoff holding strong next to Smith and McKeown until they pulled away slightly in the last five meters.

Berkoff powered through her race, beating five other world-class competitors and claiming her first piece of Olympic hardware.

David has four Olympic medals: two gold, one silver and one bronze.

The swimming veteran competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona for the U.S.

Viewers witnessed the proud father jumping and cheering as his daughter smashed into the wall in third place, embracing her with tears in his eyes on the edge of the stands.

The younger Berkoff, who swam at NC State University, is a three-time NCAA champion and a five-time ACC champion in the 100-yard backstroke.

She completed her fifth year on the team this May after being recognized as a 30-time All-American.