Caeleb Dressel’s Heartbreaking Olympic Journey
Back-to-back losses on August 2 left Caeleb Dressel in tears on the pool deck as his final individual event at the Paris Olympics ended in heartbreak. Dressel finished sixth in the men’s 50-meter freestyle final, an event in which he set an Olympic record in Tokyo. Less than an hour later, he missed the final for the 100-meter butterfly, an event where his 2021 gold medal-winning time of 49.45 seconds remains the Olympic and world record.
Reflecting on a Tough Week
“It was very obviously not my best work,” Dressel said in an interview after the races, according to The Athletic. “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. Not my week.”
An Emotional Moment
After his races, Dressel was visibly emotional, crying on the pool deck. He shared a long hug with someone before wiping his eyes, which were red from crying. Fans quickly reacted online, expressing their support and empathy for the athlete.
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Fans’ Reactions
“So sad to see the tears from Caeleb Dressel. These athletes work so hard for these moments, and it has to be devastating to not bring your best when it matters the most,” one viewer wrote on X.
Another added, “If they could get the camera off of Caeleb Dressel while he falls apart here, that’d be great. That was devastating to watch.”
Privacy and Support
After a few minutes, Dressel moved out of the camera’s view. Online, many expressed gratitude for his accomplishments and support for his emotional display.
“Cheers for the coach who helped get Caeleb Dressel to some privacy. Disappointment is hard. I hope he knows how much the US is still SO proud of him,” one person commented.
Another viewer noted, “Say what you will about the cameraman filming #CaelebDressel at the #Olympics, but as a mom to 3 boys, it’s a great example to show that even grown men can have emotions, disappointment, and cry. Hope his wife got to him and gave him a hug from all of us watching.”
Upcoming Events and Hope for Redemption
Despite the disappointments, Dressel still has opportunities to compete in Paris. He could swim in two more events: the 4×100-meter mixed medley relay final on August 3 and the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay. In the mixed medley, Team USA finished first in its preliminary heat, with Dressel swimming the butterfly leg. The preliminary heat for the men’s medley relay is also set for August 3.
Dressel’s Olympic Legacy
So far in Paris, Dressel has won one medal: gold for the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay. This adds to his impressive career total of eight Olympic gold medals. Fans and supporters remain hopeful and proud of Dressel’s achievements, recognizing the dedication and emotion behind his journey.
