Caeleb Dressel sobs after losing in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle semifinals.
When Caeleb Dressel’s individual events in the pool were finally over, he didn’t even come close to getting the outcomes he had hoped for. The accomplished American crumbled after missing opportunities to defend two of his three Olympic medals from Tokyo three years prior.
After finishing his last individual event at the Paris Olympics, Team USA’s Caeleb Dressel sobbed uncontrollably and let all of his emotions out. Unfortunately, he did not even come close to getting the results he had been hoping for.
The accomplished American crumbled after missing opportunities to defend two of his three Olympic medals from Tokyo three years prior. Dressel wept for a number of minutes as the realization of the moment’s finality and disappointment overcame him. Hard.
The poignant event transpired soon after his 50-meter freestyle sixth-place finish and subsequent failure to advance to the 100-meter butterfly final.
“It’s definitely not my best work,” Dressel remarked. But I can honestly tell that I had a great time. Although I don’t think I should hide the fact that it hasn’t been my finest week, this racing has been a lot of fun.
Just before his freestyle race, Dressel was bouncing along and appeared as confident as ever as he made his way onto the pool deck. Reaching his place in Lane 2, he raised his arms and side-shuffled.
Among his five gold medals from the Tokyo Games, Dressel broke records in the 50 free and 100 fly, the latter of which also set a world record. However, on Thursday, he reached the wall in 21.61 seconds to finish sixth in the freestyle. Unexpectedly, he finished 13th quickest in the fly semifinal.
After the free, Dressel took his time getting out of the water and lingered over the lane rope. He is adamant that these poor races won’t end his time in France.
“Here I am at the Olympics. I’ll remember it. I would prefer to be doing better. I’m not. I know that I train to go faster than the times I’m going. It’s difficult. It is somewhat depressing, that much is certain.”
In the ear-splitting din of La Defense Arena, Dressel’s 27-year-old spouse Meghan and their five-month-old son August have been supporting him with large protective headphones.
The infant did get to see his father win a gold medal. In the opening day of Olympic swimming competition on Saturday night, the United States defeated the competing Australians and Chinese quartet, with Dressel serving as the team’s anchor.
It was his eighth gold of the career. He also won gold in the two relay events in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, winning the 100 free and 4×100 medley relays in Tokyo.
Dressel is now planning to make the most of his remaining time in Paris. After all, if Dressel hadn’t taken a significant hiatus from swimming in 2022 to address his mental health and rediscover his passion for the sport, he might not even be here.
On August 16, he will turn 28, and there is still a lot of work and self-care to be done. For Dressel, there has been such a difference.
To be honest, I probably would have finished swimming a long time ago.” “A lot went into this just to be here, but it’s still a work in progress, so I have years ahead of me that I’m looking forward to.”
It was his eighth gold of the career. He also won gold in the two relay events in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, winning the 100 free and 4×100 medley relays in Tokyo.
Dressel is now planning to make the most of his remaining time in Paris. After all, if Dressel hadn’t taken a significant hiatus from swimming in 2022 to address his mental health and rediscover his passion for the sport, he might not even be here.
On August 16, he will turn 28, and there is still a lot of work and self-care to be done. For Dressel, there has been such a difference.
To be honest, I probably would have finished swimming a long time ago.” “A lot went into this just to be here, but it’s still a work in progress, so I have years ahead of me that I’m looking forward to.”
