Caeleb Dressel Scratches Men’s 100 Free Semis At 2022 World Championships

2022 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reigning two-time world champion Caeleb Dressel will not be defending his title in the men’s 100 freestyle at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest.

Dressel is a late scratch out of the semis, appearing on the initial version of the heat sheet but then missing minutes later once it was revised.

USA Swimming told SwimSwam Dressel’s scratch was due to medical reasons.

USA Swimming’s National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko offered the following statement:

A decision has been made by Team USA in consultation with Caeleb, his coach, and the team’s medical staff for him to withdraw from the 100-meter freestyle event on medical grounds. The team will determine his participation in the events later in the week.

The 25-year-old has won the event at the last two World Championships along with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and is the only swimmer in history to break 47 seconds in a textile suit.

Dressel was ranked second coming out of the prelims in a time of 47.95, trailing Romanian David Popovici (47.60).

The matchup was one fans were anxiously anticipating, especially after Popovici’s dominant victory in the 200 free on Monday.

With Dressel’s scratch, South Korea’s Hwang Sunwoo, who won silver behind Popovici in the 200 free, gets bumped up into the semi-finals after tying for 17th in the prelims in a time of 48.61.

Hwang tied with Australia’s Zac Incerti, though it appears Incerti scratched to avoid a swim-off for first alternate. Incerti was dealing with an illness earlier that kept him off the Aussie 400 free relay.

Dressel is also scheduled to race the men’s 50 free and 100 fly individually later on in the competition, with both prelim heats running on Thursday morning.

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SC Swims
2 years ago

Maybe his T.U.E. and nebulizer was acting up as he was seen spitting nasty near to the other swimmers before the 50 fly final.

Pete Manieri
2 years ago

I am appalled at reading alot of these posts.
I am not in favor of censorship.
I’ve always held swimmers, swimming fans and the entire scene as real sport, real sportsmanship, decency, intelligent, and everything but mean.
Caeleb Dressel is a wonderful human being period.
There isn’t a reason in the world to turn on him over perhaps just being sick and honoring himself and the trainers recomendations.
Anyway thankyou to the majority of decent people on here.
This is swimming.
Not the Kardashians!

Swifter
2 years ago

If Dressel isn’t 100% then Popovici would not have been his only concern. Looking at the semi times, he might not even have medalled.
The race builds.
If all protagonists will be well and ready for 2023/2024, it will be a hell of race.
Chalmers as well.
And not to dismiss current youngsters Whittle and Southam. Others too.
Expect the US to also produce another quick man soon.
Things moving to 46 soon.

Taa
2 years ago

Reminds me of Ledecky 2019.

JMY alum
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

At least she was specific about her ailment.

Tommy Schmitt
2 years ago

LeClos too but he’s arguably past his peak already. would love to see him swim more 200 free rio style races tho

Jalen T
2 years ago

Caleb will never be Phelps. Someone who cowered to the younger kids. Remember Schooling and how Phelps was? This is beyond embarrassing.

Riccardo
Reply to  Jalen T
2 years ago

I’m a Phelps fan but he busy getting DUI’s and showing up to practice randomly when he was Dressel’s age.

You’re really trying to make a character argument here?

Big T
2 years ago

Don’t blame him was going to get loose to a 17 year old.

Fobby Binke
Reply to  Big T
2 years ago

17 yo skinny boy from Romania to be more accurate

Tony
Reply to  Big T
2 years ago

He wasn’t going to “loose” an event to anyone, least of all a twig.

Troyy
Reply to  Tony
2 years ago

Tony is a Dressel superfan and totally in denial.

oldschool
2 years ago

Shame one ANY of you who would even joke about Caeleb being afraid to lose to popovici. What an embarrassment this comment section is right now. I love how a bunch of anonymous keyboard warriors (probably most of whom are 50lbs overweight and never swam at any level even close to Caeleb) disparage and attack someone without any facts or insider information. SMH.

VA Steve
Reply to  oldschool
2 years ago

100%

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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