Edie Armstrong reacts when she hears that her son, U.S. swimmer Hunter Armstrong, will be moving on after just making it through the men’s 100m backstroke preliminary race during the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. “That gave me a small heart attack,” Edie Armstrong said. “Don’t ever do that to me again Hunter.” REUTERS/Gaelen Morse
An Olympic sign with Ohio State University student Hunter Armstrong’s name stands in front of the Armstrong home in Dover, Ohio, the day of his Olympic debut at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Ryan Armstrong video chats with his son Hunter after church services at Dover First Moravian Church before Hunter goes to bed and prepares to compete in the men’s 100m backstroke semi-final the following day at the 2021 Olympic Games.
Dover High School swim coach Brenda Wherley holds out a picture of her protégé, U.S. Olympic swimmer Hunter Armstrong, at the YMCA in Dover, Ohio, where he began his swimming career, on the day of his Olympic debut at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Ryan Armstrong and Edie Armstrong video chat with their son one more time, and give him words of encouragement, before Hunter tries to get sleep before awaking to compete in the men’s 100m backstroke semi-final the following day.
Lawns and buildings around Dover, Ohio, are adorned with sings wishing Hunter Armstrong good luck on his Olympic debut.
Karen Armstrong reaches to touch the shoulder of her grandson, U.S. swimmer Hunter Armstrong, before his first race in the men’s 100m backstroke preliminary during the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, while his family watches from home in Dover, Ohio.
Before every race, in person or on screen, Karen Armstrong touches the shoulder of her grandson. “Not only is he young chronologically,” Karen Armstrong said. “He’s also young physically.” While making the 2021 Olympics were a bit of a surprise, his family is sure he’ll be in his prime for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Edie Armstrong watches nervously from her home in Dover, Ohio, as her son, U.S. swimmer Hunter Armstrong, makes his Olympic debut the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Residents and friends cheer on Hunter Armstrong from Dover High School as he competes in the 100m backstroke semi-final race during the Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 25, 2021. Armstrong finished one hundredths of a second short of qualifying for the finals and a chance to medal at the Olympic Games.