The 2024 Olympics in Paris are approaching quickly, beginning with a unique Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 26th. However, the swimming events will start on July 27th, kicking off with the Women’s 100m Butterfly. Soon, you can expect to hear chants of “USA! USA! USA!” echoing in the arenas. This enthusiasm will boost athletes to strive for gold. And in the swimming competitions, keep an eye on the Florida Gators—they’ll be making waves.

From swimming sensation Katie Ledecky to a talented roster including Caeleb Dressel and others, they represent the competitive strength of the Gators. In fact, a total of 38 current and former student-athletes from Florida will represent 18 different countries in Paris. Florida’s swimming program will send 13 athletes, including head coach Anthony Nesty. Among them, five athletes are poised to make a splash, starting with Katie Ledecky, who is expected to shine brightly on the international stage.

Florida Gators swimmers Katie Ledecky, Bobby Finke, Caeleb Dressel, and others set to make waves at the Paris Olympics 2024

1.  Katie Ledecky: Katie Ledecky has been praised by Michael Phelps too for her swimming. She has been making waves in swimming since the age of 15.  At this young age, she was the part of Rio Olympics. However, Katie Ledecky last month said, “I swim nine to ten times a week, for two hours at a time,” It seems she is a fan of swimming as she further added, “ if the competitions didn’t exist, I think I would still love it.”Her remarkable accomplishments, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she clinched four gold medals and one silver solidified her status as a top-tier swimmer. She has 7 gold medals and 21 WC.
2. Caeleb Dressel: Dressel, who has participated in the Olympics three times secured his place in another event, for the Paris Olympics by winning the men’s 100-meter butterfly final at Lucas Oil Stadium in 50.19 seconds just a bit short of his world record set in 2021 at 49.45. He has already won seven Olympic gold medals during the Tokyo Games.
3. Bobby Finke: two-time Olympic gold medalist, in the 2020 Games and 2022 World Champion showed his talent during his time at Florida Gator by securing four SEC championships and three NCAA titles. His skills were evident early in his career when, at the age of 14, he set records at the Florida Age Group State Championships (Flags). At the University of Florida, he made an impact by winning the B heat in the 500 4;14.86) during the 2019 SEC Championships. Notable among Finke’s accomplishments is setting a record of 7;41.87 in the 800m freestyle, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Clinching Olympic gold in the grueling 1500m freestyle event made him the first American male swimmer to achieve this feat since 1984.
   
4.  Emma Weyant: Emma Weyant, a swimmer, proudly represented the United States at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. She clinched a medal, in the 400 IM event at the 2020 Olympics, finishing with a time of 4;32.76. Upon joining Florida, she became eligible to compete, starting January 2023. During the SEC Championships, Weyant achieved a place in the 500 free (4;37.96) triumphed in the 400 IM (4;01.18) and secured a respectable 7th position in the 200 back (1;54.06) which greatly contributed to Florida victory in the 800 free relay event. Notable earlier accomplishments include winning gold in the 400 IM at the 2018 Jr Pan Pacs with a time of 4;40.64 and delivering performances at the 2019 Summer Nationals by emerging victorious in the 400 IM (4;35.47) and showcasing excellence in both the 200 400 free competitions.
5. Kieran Smith: Kieran Smith, an Olympic bronze medalist in the 400 free and a world champion and record holder in the 800 free relay, achieved his first world title in Budapest. Anchoring the 800 free relay, Smith surged ahead with a commanding lead and extended it with a superb split of 1:44.35, securing gold. Individually, he reached the finals in the 200 and 400 freestyle events, finishing 6th and 7th respectively. Despite narrowly missing the 400 free final with a season-best time of 3:45.77, he showcased strong performances, notably anchoring the 800 free relay with a swift split of 1:44.47 to earn a silver medal.

Florida Gators: A place where extraordinary swimmers are made

Since its inception in 1930, Florida’s swim and dive program has been a dominant force in collegiate athletics. Since women’s swimming was sanctioned by the NCAA and SEC in 1981, the Lady Gators have claimed seventeen SEC team championships and three national titles. The men’s team has proudly won forty SEC team championships and two NCAA national titles. Representing the University of Florida at every Summer Olympic Games since 1968, the Gators swimming and diving program has produced over eighty-five Olympic athletes, solidifying its reputation for excellence on the global stage. As they prepare for the 2024 Olympics, the legacy of the Gators continues to shine brightly.

The program consists of separate men’s and women’s teams, competing in NCAA Division I and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), based at the O’Connell Center Natatorium on the Gainesville campus. Recently, the Gators received a substantial upgrade with a 3,100-square-foot renovation of their locker room facilities. This renovation included revamped locker rooms for the swim and dive teams, a state-of-the-art Gatorade Fuel Station, and upgraded coach’s facilities, enhancing the student-athlete experience and strengthening recruitment efforts. The modernization also encompassed a new HVAC system, along with electrical and plumbing improvements, ensuring the facilities meet the highest standards for athletic performance and comfort.