Caeleb Dressel, a top American swimmer and Olympic favorite, had a disheartening day at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was left visibly emotional and in tears.
Despite high expectations, Dressel’s performances did not meet his usual standards. This marked a poignant moment in his career.
Disappointing results in the 50-meter freestyle
Dressel, 27, competed in the men’s 50-meter freestyle final on Friday but finished in sixth place with a time of 21.61 seconds. This result was surprising given his status as one of the top contenders.
NBC analyst Rowdy Gaines described the outcome as “shocking” and a significant upset for fans and commentators alike.
Struggles in the 100-meter butterfly semifinals
Following his performance in the 50-meter freestyle, Dressel competed in the 100-meter butterfly semifinals, where he placed fifth with a time of 51.57 seconds. This result prevented him from advancing to the final, as his time ranked 13th out of the 16 semifinalists.
The swimmer breaks down in tears after a disappointing night at the Olympics.
American swimmer , renowned for his seven Olympic gold medals, was seen crying and visibly upset during the NBC broadcast.
Despite the emotional toll, Dressel expressed a sense of gratitude and acceptance. “I’m actually enjoying the moment. I’m at the Olympic Games, I won’t forget that,” Dressel told reporters.
He acknowledged his disappointment, stating, “I’d like to be performing better, but I’m not. It’s tough, a little heartbreaking.”
In the 50-meter freestyle final, Australian Cameron McEvoy won gold. Great Britain’s Benjamin Proud took silver, while France’s Florent Manaudou earned bronze.
Dressel had previously won gold in both the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. However, he experienced a less successful outing in Paris.
Although he did secure one gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, he did not win any individual medals.
“It was very obviously not my best work,” Dressel admitted. “It hasn’t been my best week. I don’t think I need to shy away from that. But the racing has been really fun here. Walking out for the 50 and the 100 fly, it was special. I don’t want to ever forget that. I’d like to be quicker, obviously.”
Caeleb Dressel’s tough performances at the Paris Olympics show a rare struggle for the swimmer. Despite these setbacks, his resilience and dedication to the sport are clear.