Caeleb Dressel is an overwhelming favorite to add (big time) to a medal collection that already includes two golds, both in relays, from the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio.
Gators In Olympic Games: Caeleb Dressel
Sunday, July 25, 2021 | General, Men's Swimming & Diving, Chris Harry, Olympics
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Get ready to hear Caeleb Dressel's name a lot the next couple weeks. Not just because he's expected to be the most decorated athlete of the 2021 Olympics. He'll also be the busiest of the Summer Games in Japan.
Dressel, the 28-time All-America swimmer and 10-time NCAA champion from nearby Green Cove Springs, Fla., qualified for three individual events — the 50-meter freestyle, 100 free and 100 butterfly — during the U.S. Trials in Nebraska last month. He also figures to take part in at least two Team USA relays, which means Dressel, who won a pair of gold medals swimming relays at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, has a chance to be a Spitz- or Phelps-like performer in Tokyo.
And it will take every ounce of energy (both physically and emotionally) the 24-year-old former Gator — arguably the greatest UF athlete of the last decade — has to muster.
Case in point: Assuming Dressel advances in a couple individual events in which he ranks No. 1 in the world (safe assumption, right?), his schedule this Friday could have him on the blocks (we'll use EST time here, so set your DVR) for the 50-meter free heats at 6 a.m., back for the 4x100 medley heats (he swims fly) three hours later, then in the 100 fly final at 9:30 p.m., then back for the 50 free semifinals — get this — 45 minutes later.
His first race, the 4x100 free relay is scheduled for Sunday between 8:10-8:40, with Dressel's first medal likely coming in the final of the event, set for Sunday night at 11:05 p.m.
All told, Dressel is all but certain to take part in a minimum of 13 races during the eight-day swimming competition, assuming he reaches the medal round of each (again, safe assumption). All of his events will be sprints, for which he won 13 combined golds, plus two silvers, at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
For a spectacular inside look at Dressel, read this cover story by Pat Forde (and watch the video) in Sports Illustrated.
Caeleb Dressel was a 28-time All American, 10-time NCAA champion, two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year, three-time SEC Male Swimmer of the Year and 2018 SEC Male Athlete of the Year during his four seasons at Florida (2015-18).
HOW HE QUALIFIED: With a dominating performance at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., last month.
TOKYO SCHEDULE: Sunday — 4x100 free heats; 4x100 free final. Tuesday — 100 free heats; 100 free semifinals. July 28 — 100 free final. July 29 — 100 fly heats; 100 fly semifinals. July 30 — 50 free heats; 4x100 medley heats; 100 fly final; 50 free final; 50 free semifinal. July 31 — 50 free final; 4x100 medley final.
UF CAREER: Dressel garnered 28 All-America honors during his four seasons, the most possible in the sport over a four-year career and the most in school history. He won 10 NCAA titles in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly and 200 free relay, with one of his greatest moments coming when he became the first human to break 18 seconds in the 50 free — and did it twice in the same day at the 2018 NCAA Championships. In that same meet, he became the world's first to break 40 seconds in the 100 free. Dressel was the SEC's three-time male swimmer of the year and the league's 2018 Male Athlete of the Year.
NEED TO KNOW: His black Labrador, Jane, likes to swim with Dressel after workouts.
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Whatever other people expect me to do, whatever they're comparing me to, I don't care. I'm just trying to swim fast." — Dressel to Sports Illustrated.
