Six-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Van Dyken has opened up about how the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk profoundly impacted her life.

Kirk, known for his right-wing political commentary, was tragically assassinated on September 10, 2025, while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University. The event, attended by around 3,000 people, was abruptly halted by the shocking incident.

The 31-year-old Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, was recognized as an ally and supporter of former US President Donald Trump.

On Monday, Van Dyken took to Instagram to share her experience, saying, “I wanted to tell you something. September 10th, 2025, completely changed my life.”

She continued, “I witnessed a man, who enjoyed debating ideas, being assassinated right before us. I reached out to friends who also knew Charlie Kirk, asking if everything was alright. The response I received was chilling: ‘Lots of blood, please pray.’”

Olympic champion Amy Van Dyken revealed Charlie Kirk’s death ‘completely changed’ her

Kirk was fatally shot in front of a crowd of hundreds of people on September 10 in Utah 

‘From that moment on, I stopped being a lukewarm Christian. I started going to church every single Sunday. I started reading my Bible every single day. I now listen to worship music instead of secular music. It has really changed my life. 

‘I just wanted to let you guys know what has been going on in my life since I’ve been so quiet. I wanted to let you know that that day completely changed my life forever’.

The former competitive swimmer also detailed how the incident made her ‘less anxious’ and ‘less angry’ – before going on to send a message to Kirk’s family.

She continued: ‘I just want to say to Charlie, Erika, and their entire family: I’m so sorry for your loss, but thank you for the life that he lived and the way that he stood on what he believed. It has changed my life completely.

‘Please be kind to yourself. Please be kind to others. God bless every one of you’.

Previously, Van Dyken addressed Kirk’s death with a post on social media just a few days after it occurred.  

In September, she wrote on X: ‘I’ve been seeing where churches did not mention Charlie Kirk today. Mine did and it was powerful. If yours didn’t, go to another church’.

Van Dyken is one of the most decorated swimmers in US history having won six Olympic gold medals at two Games – four at Atlanta 1996 and two at Sydney 2000. 

‘I just want to say to Charlie, Erika, and their family: I’m so sorry for your loss,’ Van Dyken said 

Van Dyken became the first American woman to win four gold medals at a single Olympics

After a tragic ATV accident in 2014, Van Dyken was left paralyzed from the waist down

In 1996, she became the first American woman to win four gold medals at a single Olympics, claiming titles in the 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and two relay events. 

She added two more golds as part of relay teams in Sydney, cementing her place among the sport’s greats.

After a tragic ATV accident which occurred back in 2014, which severed her spinal cord, Van Dyken was left paralyzed from the waist down. 

Kirk, meanwhile, was the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization he launched at age 18. 

He became a prominent figure in American politics, hosting a popular podcast and writing several books on conservative principles. 

Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when he was fatally shot, with his death sparking national conversations about political violence and led to tributes from across the political spectrum. 

The Utah man, Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering Charlie Kirk was seen at his first in-person court hearing last week.