Meet Kristian Ipsen, Recent Olympic Bronze Medalist and Cat Person

Yesterday, 19 year old Olympian Kristian Ipsen earned his first Olympic medal. Him and diving teammate Troy Dumais finished third in the men's 3-meter synchronized diving final. For Dumais, the medal marked a lifetime of work. Having appeared in three prior Olympics and coming home empty-handed, it was Ipsen who ultimately helped propel him to his first victory. Ipsen's performance in the final helped change the tide of USA diving, which until this Olympic Games had not medalled in an event since the 2000 Games in Sydney.

Despite his performance and his status as one of the top divers in the synchronized world, Ipsen is as down to earth as any of us. Like us, Ipsen enjoys life at home with his furry friends! We had the chance to sit with Ipsen before the Games began, and discuss what life was like outside of the pool with his family's felines.

1. What kind of pets do you have?

I have two cats. One is named Tommy and the other one is Cheddar.

2. Tell us one of your fondest memories of your pets.

Cheddar loves people so much and gets really upset when we all leave the house. Whenever we all leave for dinner he waits in the driveway until we come back but he doesn’t understand that cars are dangerous. He never moves out of the way when our car comes in so we usually have to just pick him up and bring him into the car before we go into the house.  

3. Tell us: Do you train with your pet?

Haha no--I don’t. Cheddar and Tommy would not want to jump off the diving board into the water.

4. Do you travel with your pet when you train or compete?

No I don’t. I don’t think that they would like that.

5. If your pet could compete in any Olympic sport, what would it be?

Track. they are both pretty fast.