LOS ANGELES, June 14(AAFP): Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Caeleb Dressel brings a new perspective to the pressure-packed US Olympic swimming trials, where he and freestyle phenomenon Katie Ledecky are set to star again in the fierce fight for Paris Games berths.
Dressel and Ledecky bring formidable credentials to the nine-day meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, where only a top-two finish can secure an individual race berth in Paris and any slip-up can spell heartbreak.
Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, promises to provide a spectacular setting for swimmers chasing their Olympic dreams when the trials get under way on Saturday.
It's been a twisting path back to this point for 27-year-old Dressel, who followed his two relay golds at the 2016 Rio Olympics with five gold medals in Tokyo in 2021 to stamp himself the heir to US great Michael Phelps.
But Dressel withdrew abruptly from the 2022 world championships, taking a nine-month break from the sport.
He's set to contest the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m free, and although he's not the top-ranked swimmer going into any of those events his steady progress in recent months indicates he'll be ready for young challengers such as world bronze medallist Dare Rose in the 100m butterfly and world silver medallist Jack Alexy in the 50m free.
As his comeback gathered steam this year, Dressel said his extended break had refreshed his relationship to the sport.
"I knew I was in a spot where it wasn't healthy," he said this year as his comeback gathered steam. "It got to that point where I was like, if I don't break a world record in whatever event, then my career is a waste.
"Like that was my thinking, which is pretty ludicrous ... Because I know I'm a good swimmer, but if you were to ask me that a couple years ago, I don't know what I'd say."
Dressel, Ledecky headline another stacked US Olympic swimming trials
FE Team | Published: June 14, 2024 22:30:25
Dressel, Ledecky headline another stacked US Olympic swimming trials
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