Rio Olympics: Swimmer Conor Dwyer Wins Bronze in 200-Meter Freestyle

Winnetka swimmer Conor Dwyer won the bronze medal Monday night in the men's 200-meter freestyle at the Rio Olympics, earning his first-ever Olympic medal in an individual event.

Dwyer, who placed fourth in the 400-meter freestyle Saturday, captured the bronze with a time of 1:45.23, a personal best. China's Sun Yang won the gold medal (1:44.65), and South Africa's Chad Le Clos took home the silver (1:45.20). Yang also won the gold in 400-meter freestyle.

The 200-meter was Dwyer's last chance to medal in an individual event in Rio this year. He just missed out on the bronze medal in Saturday's 400-meter freestyle.

More Patch Coverage of North Shore Olympians

• Is Swimmer Dwyer Leslie Jones' New Sexy Vanilla Muffin?
• Local Swimmers Conor Dwyer, Olivia Smoliga Move On to Medal Rounds
• Winnetka Swimmer Conor Dwyer Finishes 4th in 400-Meter Freestyle
• Rio Olympics 2016: When to Watch North Shore Athletes Compete
• Rhythmic Gymnast Team From the North Shore Among Illinois Olympians Headed to Rio

Dwyer next competes with Team USA in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday, Aug. 9. That group—which Dwyer as a part of—hopes to repeat its 2012 performance at the London Olympics, when it won the gold medal.

And what about Dwyer's highest profile fan, Saturday Night Live cast member and Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones? The stand-up comic/actress/Twitter Olympic commentator was not shy about letting the public know—via her Twitter feed—how she felt about her Olympic crush's finish Monday night:

Dwyer wasn't the only North Shore Olympic swimmer competing for a medal Monday. Olivia Smoliga, of Glenview, placed sixth in the women's 100-meter backstroke with a time of 59.95 seconds. Hungary's Katinka Hosszú won the gold medal (58.45), Team USA's Kathleen Baker captured the silver (58.75), and China's Fu Yuanhui Canada's Kylie Masse tied for the bronze (58.76).

PHOTO: Conor Dwyer at the 2015 world championships. (Chan-Fan | Wikimedia Commons)

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