Caeleb Dressel Misses Olympic Final Of Men’s 100 Butterfly With 51.57 For 13th In Semifinals

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

MEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINALS

Caeleb Dressel of the US will not have the chance to defend his Olympic gold in the 100 butterfly as he finished 13th in semifinals with a time of a 51.57. Dressel is the World Record holder in the event, with a best time of a 49.45 that he swam in Tokyo.

Dressel had a busy day, most notably swimming in the final of the men’s 50 freestyle just over 30 minutes before he swam in the first semifinal of the 100 fly. He also had a busy morning, swimming in prelims of the 100 fly as well as swimming the butterfly leg on the mixed 4×100 medley relay for the US.

His time in prelims of a 50.83 would have made the final as it took a 51.08 to make it back for tomorrow night’s final. Dressel was seen emotional after the race.

Dressel’s return from the 2022 World Championships is still noteworthy. Dressel withdrew in the middle of the 2022 World Championships due to medical reasons and did not compete in the 100 butterfly there. He then spent eight months away from the sport before returning to the pool. After almost a year away from competition, Dressel returned in May 2023, just over a month before 2023 US Summer Nationals.

He has consistently been improving since his comeback, notably helping the US to gold in the men’s 4×100 free relay earlier this week. He also made the final in the 50 free and has the chance to swim on the 4×100 mixed medley relay and the men’s 4×100 medley relay in the final 2 days of competition.

In This Story

193
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

193 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Phil
3 months ago

I hope the Americans got to visit Paris at least, otherwise I don’t know why they went

Awsi Dooger
3 months ago

I’m surprised this is a huge topic. From the opening relay split of the week these type of results seemed inevitable

He won’t be remembered for this and he’ll be glad he came back

snailSpace
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
3 months ago

I’m surprised this is a huge topic.

You really shouldn’t be. But otherwise, agreed.

Swim
3 months ago

I am going to say it but this sport is brutal and I feel for Dressel.

Khase Calisz
3 months ago

After seeing Caeleb and Josh’s performances, I came to the conclusion that University of Florida needs to hire a coach just for the sprint group. No one has replaced Jungbluth since he left and he and Troy has been credited with much of Caeleb’s sprint success. Nesty has his hands full with the distance group.

Hank
3 months ago

Minor consolation, but if the MMR wins Gold, even if he isn’t on the final relay, he also wins a Gold medal right?

Aragon Son of Arathorne
3 months ago

we love you Caleb. You’re a cool guy and you have nothing to prove to anyone. Your son is going to be so proud.

YGBSM
3 months ago

NBC setting a new low standard with an a**clown move, showing (live) two uninterrupted minutes of Dressel’s emotional moment with the doctor on deck. We get it, he’s upset. But after 10-15 seconds, leave the guy alone.

And NOT because he has experienced mental health challenges, but common decency dictates to move along, rather than just bake the guy at his hardest moment, in front of millions. Uncool

Anonymous
3 months ago

Caeleb was so past his prime that he qualified for the Olympics above those in their prime. It amazes me that others thought more highly of him when he was so unhappy and battling his demons yet winning gold. He made a phenomenal comeback and now has a healthy perspective on life and his swimming. Regardless of what others say, those golds will collect dust long after he’s stopped competing and who he is as a person is what matters. When you know high level athlete that’s dealt with mental health issues then you have a right to comment, otherwise you better hope you never have to deal with that.

Aragon Son of Arathorne
Reply to  Anonymous
3 months ago

well said. Caleb will be successful no matters what comes next. He’s good at life and he will always be olympic medalist and world record holder (even when he loses his WR). It’s evident in his interviews that he is going to be a great father and husband. That is what a man should be remembered by the most.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

Read More »