
Eight Gators Set To Take On Tokyo
Thursday, July 22, 2021 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Olympics
Complete Athletes Schedule | Olympic Schedule | Gator Olympic Central
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After an additional year wait, eight Gator swimmers are ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics Games.
Five current and three former Gators have made the trip to Tokyo for the Olympics.
Current Florida swimmers competing at the 2020 Olympics are: Kieran Smith, Bobby Finke, Amro Al-Wir, Eric Friese and Alfonso Mestre. Former Gators that will be competing are: Caeleb Dressel, Enzo Martinez-Scarpe and Natalie Hinds.
During the Olympic Trials, Dressel, Smith and Finke had an excellent showing in the men's freestyle events at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. The Florida swimmers managed to pull off a sweep of the men's free events, winning the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500.
In addition, the U.S. coaching staff has two with Gator ties:
Current Gator Head Coach:
Anthony Nesty: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach
Past Gator Head Coach:
Gregg Troy: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach
One past Gator Olympic medalists will help the NBC coverage:
Elizabeth Beisel (swimming)
Florida's Tokyo Roster Review:
Smith is hoping to carry his momentum from trials as he had three personal-best performances. Two of those personal best times were fast enough to grab him two first-place finishes, ensuring him a spot on the Team USA Swimming roster. Smith will be competing in the 200 Free, 400 Free and the 4x200 Free Relay.
Smith is currently ranked eighth in the 200 Free and tenth in the 400 Free via the Speedo World Rankings heading into Tokyo.
Finke has taken control of the distance events for Team USA on the men's side, recording first place finishes at the trials in the 800 and 1500 Free. In the 1500 Free, Finke finished 14.81 seconds faster than the second-place finisher, earning a spot on Team USA and a new personal best time. In the 800 Free, Finke won by 1.72 seconds with a time of 7:48.22, which was a season best.
Finke is currently ranked fourth in the 1500 Free and eighth in the 800 Free heading into Tokyo.
Friese will be competing for Germany on the 4x100 Free Relay team. Friese is coming off of a personal best performance at the TYR Pro Swim Series at Mission Viejo in the 100 Free. Friese went 49.05 to finish second and earned a spot on the German Olympic team.
Mestre will be competing in the 800 Free for Venezuela. Mestre ensured his ticket to Tokyo with an outstanding swim at the CCCAN Swimming Championships, setting a personal best of 7:50.81 to meet Olympic Qualifying standards. Mestre is currently ranked 18th heading into the Olympics.
Al-Wir was the last Gator to ensure a spot on an Olympic team and he will be representing Jordan in the 200 Breaststroke. Al-Wir's current personal best in the event is a 2:12.40, which he hit at the Indianapolis stop of the 2021 Pro Swim Series in May. That swim for Al-Wir was under the 2:14.26 FINA B time standard but was just shy of the 2:10.35 FINA A cut.
Former Gators to Watch For
Dressel is one of the main names to watch for at the Olympic Games this year. Dressel is the current world record holder in the 100 Fly and is ranked first in the 50 Free and third in the 100 Free. He is only nine one-hundredths of a second behind the leader in the 100 Free.
Dressel is coming off of an excellent showing at the Olympic Trials last month. He finished first in the 50 Free, 100 Free and the 100 Fly. Dressel has his eyes set on the 12-year-old world record in the 50 Free, which he is just thirteen one-hundredths of a second behind.
Hinds qualified for the Olympics in the 4x100 Free Relay finishing fourth at the trials in the 100 Free. Hinds set a new personal best in the 100 Free during the semis with a time of 53.55.
Martinez-Scarpe was the last Gator to qualify for an Olympic team. He will be representing Uruguay in the 50 Free.
Schedule for Gator Athletes (All times Eastern)
(All Relays Subject To Change)
Full Schedule
Saturday, July 24
Morning
6:02 a.m. Men's 400 individual medley preliminaries
6:28 a.m.: Women's 100 butterfly preliminaries
6:48 a.m.: Men's 400 freestyle preliminaries
7:30 a.m.: Women's 400 individual medley preliminaries
7:55 a.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke preliminaries
8:15 a.m.: Women's 4x100 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 400 individual medley final
9:40 p.m.: Women's 100 butterfly semifinals
9:52 p.m.: Men's 400 freestyle final
10:12 p.m.: Women's 400 individual medley final
10:33 p.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke semifinals
10:45 p.m.: Women's 4x100 freestyle relay final
Sunday, July 25
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 100 backstroke preliminaries
6:22 a.m.: Men's 200 freestyle preliminaries
6:59 a.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke preliminaries
7:19 a.m.: Men's 100 backstroke preliminaries
7:39 a.m.: Women's 400 freestyle preliminaries
8:10 a.m.: Men's 4x100 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Women's 100 butterfly final
9:37 p.m.: Men's 200 freestyle semifinals
9:50 p.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke semifinals
10:12 p.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke final
10:20 p.m.: Women's 400 freestyle final
10:31 p.m.: Men's 100 backstroke semifinals
10:53 p.m.: Women's 100 backstroke semifinals
11:05 p.m.: Men's 4x100 freestyle relay final
Monday, July 26
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 200 freestyle preliminaries
6:29 a.m.: Men's 200 butterfly preliminaries
6:56 a.m.: Women's 200 individual medley preliminaries
7:32 a.m.: Women's 1,500 freestyle preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Women's 200 freestyle semifinals
9:43 p.m.: Men's 200 freestyle final
9:51 p.m.: Women's 100 backstroke final
9:59 p.m.: Men's 100 backstroke final
10:17 p.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke final
10:35 p.m.: Men's 200 butterfly semifinals
10:58 p.m.: Women's 200 individual medley semifinals
Tuesday, July 27
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Men's 100 freestyle preliminaries
6:28 a.m.: Women's 200 butterfly preliminaries
6:50 a.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke preliminaries
7:17 a.m.: Men's 4x200 freestyle relay preliminaries
7: 37 a.m.: Men's 800 freestyle preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 freestyle semifinals
9:41 p.m.: Women's 200 freestyle final
9:49 p.m.: Men's 200 butterfly final
9:57 p.m.: Women's 200 butterfly semifinals
10:21 p.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke semifinals
10:45 p.m.: Women's 200 individual medley final
10:54 p.m.: Women's 1,500 freestyle final
11:26 p.m.: Men's 4x200 freestyle relay final
Wednesday, July 28
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 100 freestyle preliminaries
6:25 a.m.: Men's 200 backstroke preliminaries
6:52 a.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke preliminaries
7:15 a.m.: Men's 200 individual medley preliminaries
7: 34 a.m.: Women's 4x200 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 800 freestyle final
9:44 p.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke final
9:53 p.m.: Women's 100 freestyle semifinals
10:04 p.m.: Men's 200 backstroke semifinals
10:28 p.m.: Women's 200 butterfly final
10:37 p.m.: Men's 100 freestyle final
10:54 p.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke semifinals
11:08 p.m.: Men's 200 individual medley semifinals
11:31 p.m.: Women's 4x200 freestyle relay final
Thursday, July 29
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 800 freestyle preliminaries
6:50 a.m.: Men's 100 butterfly preliminaries
7:02 a.m.: Women's 200 backstroke preliminaries
7:28 a.m.: Mixed 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 butterfly semifinals
9:41 p.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke final
9:50 p.m.: Men's 200 backstroke final
9:59 p.m.: Women's 100 freestyle final
10:16 p.m.: Men's 200 individual medley final
10:35 p.m.: Women's 200 backstroke semifinals
Friday, July 30
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Men's 50 freestyle preliminaries
6:24 a.m.: Women's 50 freestyle preliminaries
6:48 a.m.: Men's 1,500 freestyle preliminaries
8:36 a.m.: Women's 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
8:50 a.m.: Men's 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 butterfly final
9:37 p.m.: Women's 200 backstroke final
9:46 p.m.: Women's 800 freestyle final
10:11 p.m.: Men's 50 freestyle semifinals
10:32 p.m.: Women's 50 freestyle semifinals
10:43 p.m.: Mixed 4x100 medley relay final
Saturday, July 31
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 50 freestyle final
9:37 p.m.: Women's 50 freestyle final
9:44 p.m.: Men's 1,500 freestyle final
10:15 p.m.: Women's 4x100 medley relay final
10:36 p.m.: Men's 4x100 medley relay final
Follow along on Twitter at @GatorsSwimDv, @GatorsOlympics and @USASwimming and check out the hashtags GatorsAlways for more immediate coverage.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After an additional year wait, eight Gator swimmers are ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics Games.
Five current and three former Gators have made the trip to Tokyo for the Olympics.
Current Florida swimmers competing at the 2020 Olympics are: Kieran Smith, Bobby Finke, Amro Al-Wir, Eric Friese and Alfonso Mestre. Former Gators that will be competing are: Caeleb Dressel, Enzo Martinez-Scarpe and Natalie Hinds.
During the Olympic Trials, Dressel, Smith and Finke had an excellent showing in the men's freestyle events at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. The Florida swimmers managed to pull off a sweep of the men's free events, winning the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500.
In addition, the U.S. coaching staff has two with Gator ties:
Current Gator Head Coach:
Anthony Nesty: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach
Past Gator Head Coach:
Gregg Troy: U.S. Men's Swimming Assistant Coach
One past Gator Olympic medalists will help the NBC coverage:
Elizabeth Beisel (swimming)
Florida's Tokyo Roster Review:
- 31 Gators qualified to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games 2020 Gator Olympic Roster
- Gators have 2020 Olympics representatives in eight (8) different sports: Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Track & Field
- Gators are representing 15 different countries in Tokyo: Australia (1), Bahamas (1), Canada (2), France (1), Germany (1), Jamaica (1), Japan (1), Jordan (1), Liberia (1), Puerto Rico (2), Serbia (1), United States (15), U.S. Virgin Islands (1), Uruguay (1) and Venezuela (1).
- Gators will be competing in Softball for the first time. Gators have competed in following Olympic sports since 1972: Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bobsleigh, Diving, Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Soccer, Swimming, Team Handball, Tennis, Track & Field and Indoor Volleyball.
Smith is hoping to carry his momentum from trials as he had three personal-best performances. Two of those personal best times were fast enough to grab him two first-place finishes, ensuring him a spot on the Team USA Swimming roster. Smith will be competing in the 200 Free, 400 Free and the 4x200 Free Relay.
Smith is currently ranked eighth in the 200 Free and tenth in the 400 Free via the Speedo World Rankings heading into Tokyo.
Finke has taken control of the distance events for Team USA on the men's side, recording first place finishes at the trials in the 800 and 1500 Free. In the 1500 Free, Finke finished 14.81 seconds faster than the second-place finisher, earning a spot on Team USA and a new personal best time. In the 800 Free, Finke won by 1.72 seconds with a time of 7:48.22, which was a season best.
Finke is currently ranked fourth in the 1500 Free and eighth in the 800 Free heading into Tokyo.
Friese will be competing for Germany on the 4x100 Free Relay team. Friese is coming off of a personal best performance at the TYR Pro Swim Series at Mission Viejo in the 100 Free. Friese went 49.05 to finish second and earned a spot on the German Olympic team.
Mestre will be competing in the 800 Free for Venezuela. Mestre ensured his ticket to Tokyo with an outstanding swim at the CCCAN Swimming Championships, setting a personal best of 7:50.81 to meet Olympic Qualifying standards. Mestre is currently ranked 18th heading into the Olympics.
Al-Wir was the last Gator to ensure a spot on an Olympic team and he will be representing Jordan in the 200 Breaststroke. Al-Wir's current personal best in the event is a 2:12.40, which he hit at the Indianapolis stop of the 2021 Pro Swim Series in May. That swim for Al-Wir was under the 2:14.26 FINA B time standard but was just shy of the 2:10.35 FINA A cut.
Former Gators to Watch For
Dressel is one of the main names to watch for at the Olympic Games this year. Dressel is the current world record holder in the 100 Fly and is ranked first in the 50 Free and third in the 100 Free. He is only nine one-hundredths of a second behind the leader in the 100 Free.
Dressel is coming off of an excellent showing at the Olympic Trials last month. He finished first in the 50 Free, 100 Free and the 100 Fly. Dressel has his eyes set on the 12-year-old world record in the 50 Free, which he is just thirteen one-hundredths of a second behind.
Hinds qualified for the Olympics in the 4x100 Free Relay finishing fourth at the trials in the 100 Free. Hinds set a new personal best in the 100 Free during the semis with a time of 53.55.
Martinez-Scarpe was the last Gator to qualify for an Olympic team. He will be representing Uruguay in the 50 Free.
Schedule for Gator Athletes (All times Eastern)
(All Relays Subject To Change)
Athlete | Event | Event Date | Event Time |
Amro Al-Wir | 200 Breast 100 Breast |
Tuesday, July 27 Wednesday, July 28 Saturday, July 24 |
6:50 AM (Prelims) 10:21 PM (Semis) 9:44 PM (Finals) 7:55 AM ( Prelims) |
Caeleb Dressel | 4x100 Free Relay 100 Free 100 Fly 50 Free 4x100 Medley Relay |
Sunday, July 25 Tuesday, July 27 Wednesday, July 28 Thursday, July 29 Friday, July 30 Friday, July 30 Saturday, July 31 Friday, July 30 Saturday, July 31 |
8:10 AM (Prelims) 11:05 PM (Finals) 6:02 AM (Prelims) 9:30 PM (Semis) 10:37 PM (Finals) 6:50 AM (Prelims) 9:30 PM (Semis) 9:30 PM (Finals) 6:02 AM (Prelims 10:11 PM (Semis) 9:30 PM (Finals) 8:50 AM (Prelims) 10:36 PM (Finals) |
Bobby Finke | 800 Free 1500 Free |
Tuesday, July 27 Wednesday, July 28 Friday, July 30 Saturday, July 31 |
7:37 PM (Prelims) 9:30 PM (Finals) 6:48 AM (Prelims) 9:44 PM (Finals) |
Eric Friese | 4x100 Free Relay | Sunday, July 25 | 8:10 AM (Prelims) 11:05 PM (Finals) |
Natalie Hinds | 4x100 Free Relay | Saturday, July 24 | 8:15 AM (Prelims) 10:45 PM (Finals) |
Enzo Martinez-Scarpe | 50 Free | Friday, July 30 Saturday, July 31 |
6:02 AM (Prelims 10:11 PM (Semis) 9:30 PM (Finals) |
Alfonso Mestre | 800 Free | Tuesday, July 27 Wednesday, July 28 |
7:37 PM (Prelims) 9:30 PM (Finals) |
Kieran Smith | 400 Free 200 Free 4x200 Free Relay |
Saturday, July 24 Sunday, July 25 Monday, July 26 Tuesday, July 27 |
6:48 AM (Prelims) 9:52 PM (Finals) 6:22 AM (Prelims) 9:37 PM (Semis) 9:43 PM (Finals) 7:17 AM (Prelims) 11:26 PM (Finals) |
Saturday, July 24
Morning
6:02 a.m. Men's 400 individual medley preliminaries
6:28 a.m.: Women's 100 butterfly preliminaries
6:48 a.m.: Men's 400 freestyle preliminaries
7:30 a.m.: Women's 400 individual medley preliminaries
7:55 a.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke preliminaries
8:15 a.m.: Women's 4x100 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 400 individual medley final
9:40 p.m.: Women's 100 butterfly semifinals
9:52 p.m.: Men's 400 freestyle final
10:12 p.m.: Women's 400 individual medley final
10:33 p.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke semifinals
10:45 p.m.: Women's 4x100 freestyle relay final
Sunday, July 25
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 100 backstroke preliminaries
6:22 a.m.: Men's 200 freestyle preliminaries
6:59 a.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke preliminaries
7:19 a.m.: Men's 100 backstroke preliminaries
7:39 a.m.: Women's 400 freestyle preliminaries
8:10 a.m.: Men's 4x100 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Women's 100 butterfly final
9:37 p.m.: Men's 200 freestyle semifinals
9:50 p.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke semifinals
10:12 p.m.: Men's 100 breaststroke final
10:20 p.m.: Women's 400 freestyle final
10:31 p.m.: Men's 100 backstroke semifinals
10:53 p.m.: Women's 100 backstroke semifinals
11:05 p.m.: Men's 4x100 freestyle relay final
Monday, July 26
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 200 freestyle preliminaries
6:29 a.m.: Men's 200 butterfly preliminaries
6:56 a.m.: Women's 200 individual medley preliminaries
7:32 a.m.: Women's 1,500 freestyle preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Women's 200 freestyle semifinals
9:43 p.m.: Men's 200 freestyle final
9:51 p.m.: Women's 100 backstroke final
9:59 p.m.: Men's 100 backstroke final
10:17 p.m.: Women's 100 breaststroke final
10:35 p.m.: Men's 200 butterfly semifinals
10:58 p.m.: Women's 200 individual medley semifinals
Tuesday, July 27
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Men's 100 freestyle preliminaries
6:28 a.m.: Women's 200 butterfly preliminaries
6:50 a.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke preliminaries
7:17 a.m.: Men's 4x200 freestyle relay preliminaries
7: 37 a.m.: Men's 800 freestyle preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 freestyle semifinals
9:41 p.m.: Women's 200 freestyle final
9:49 p.m.: Men's 200 butterfly final
9:57 p.m.: Women's 200 butterfly semifinals
10:21 p.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke semifinals
10:45 p.m.: Women's 200 individual medley final
10:54 p.m.: Women's 1,500 freestyle final
11:26 p.m.: Men's 4x200 freestyle relay final
Wednesday, July 28
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 100 freestyle preliminaries
6:25 a.m.: Men's 200 backstroke preliminaries
6:52 a.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke preliminaries
7:15 a.m.: Men's 200 individual medley preliminaries
7: 34 a.m.: Women's 4x200 freestyle relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 800 freestyle final
9:44 p.m.: Men's 200 breaststroke final
9:53 p.m.: Women's 100 freestyle semifinals
10:04 p.m.: Men's 200 backstroke semifinals
10:28 p.m.: Women's 200 butterfly final
10:37 p.m.: Men's 100 freestyle final
10:54 p.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke semifinals
11:08 p.m.: Men's 200 individual medley semifinals
11:31 p.m.: Women's 4x200 freestyle relay final
Thursday, July 29
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Women's 800 freestyle preliminaries
6:50 a.m.: Men's 100 butterfly preliminaries
7:02 a.m.: Women's 200 backstroke preliminaries
7:28 a.m.: Mixed 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 butterfly semifinals
9:41 p.m.: Women's 200 breaststroke final
9:50 p.m.: Men's 200 backstroke final
9:59 p.m.: Women's 100 freestyle final
10:16 p.m.: Men's 200 individual medley final
10:35 p.m.: Women's 200 backstroke semifinals
Friday, July 30
Morning
6:02 a.m.: Men's 50 freestyle preliminaries
6:24 a.m.: Women's 50 freestyle preliminaries
6:48 a.m.: Men's 1,500 freestyle preliminaries
8:36 a.m.: Women's 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
8:50 a.m.: Men's 4x100 medley relay preliminaries
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 100 butterfly final
9:37 p.m.: Women's 200 backstroke final
9:46 p.m.: Women's 800 freestyle final
10:11 p.m.: Men's 50 freestyle semifinals
10:32 p.m.: Women's 50 freestyle semifinals
10:43 p.m.: Mixed 4x100 medley relay final
Saturday, July 31
Evening
9:30 p.m.: Men's 50 freestyle final
9:37 p.m.: Women's 50 freestyle final
9:44 p.m.: Men's 1,500 freestyle final
10:15 p.m.: Women's 4x100 medley relay final
10:36 p.m.: Men's 4x100 medley relay final
Follow along on Twitter at @GatorsSwimDv, @GatorsOlympics and @USASwimming and check out the hashtags GatorsAlways for more immediate coverage.
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