After Narrowly Missing Out on Tokyo, Celebrated 28-Year-Old Swimmer Is Poised to Chase Gold at the Paris Olympics

Specializing in sprint events, the former Olympic gold medalist missed his spot on Team USA last time, despite finishing sixth in the 100 freestyle Olympic Trials. Since then, he has reshaped his journey, ready to make a significant comeback to the pool this season at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Going for gold this season, he has unexpectedly shifted focus to the 400m freestyle relay.

Ryan Held, a 28-year-old swimmer from Illinois, has successfully qualified for the 2024 Summer Games and is determined to reclaim his Olympic medal, just as he did in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 4x100m freestyle relay, both in the preliminary and final rounds of the event.

Poised to chase the gold at the Paris Olympics

A video posted on NBC Chicago’s official YouTube channel showcased the heroic triumph of American swimmer Ryan Held, marking his return to the Olympic pool. Held, who also holds the U.S. Open record in the long course 100-meter freestyle, expressed his excitement after his latest qualification, stating that he remained calm until the night he walked out with his teammates to the blocks. Ryan Held declared, “That moment was like, Oh man! I’m in the Olympics. That moment was like (I was) shaking and I could not grab my zipper“, after heaving a sigh of relief after his most anticipated victory.

Succeeded by Michael Phelps, who is known to be the most decorated American athlete in Olympic history with 28 medals, Ryan Held won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics qualification this March. An emotional breakdown followed his most awaited selection, he kind of got nostalgic about his earlier failure of not making up to the Tokyo Olympics by a thin line.

Ryan Held’s previous accomplishments

His long-winded aim to have his name on the American flag has been fortunate once, however sustaining the same always has proven even harder. Despite facing adversity, Ryan Held, the Illinois swimmer, has made a resolute comeback. He boasts accolades including being a 2016 Olympic champion in the 400 free relay, a 6-time champion in the short course, and holding an open meet record in the 100m freestyle.

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Scoring a magnificent 47.39 in the 2019 Open Meet, Ryan Held has once again secured his spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, representing Team USA. This comes after his unfortunate defeat in the US Open Swimming Championships against 7-time NCAA swimming champion, Matt King.

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