“Need to Sniff Him”: Caeleb Dressel Struggles with Being Apart From Newborn, Who Changed His Swimming

“My child has changed everything for me,” said Caeleb Dressel as he embarked on the journey to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. Beyond the lanes where he’s made history as a star swimmer for the USA, Dressel now finds himself navigating the uncharted waters of parenthood. Just months after welcoming his son August Wilder Dressel with his wife Meghan, Caeleb reflects on how much fatherhood has altered his life, especially when faced with the challenge of leaving his son he misses so much at home.

Despite these emotional hurdles, Dressel’s determination ultimately secured his spot, showcasing the skill that has defined his career thus far. Even as he navigates the whirlpool of emotions and adjustments that come with fatherhood, Caeleb Dressel, a 7-time Olympic medalist, remains steadfast in his focus on showcasing his unparalleled talent at the upcoming swimming trials.

Caeleb Dressel talks about how his son changed his perspective on swimming

In a recent tweet by NBC Sports, they released a clip of an interview with Caeleb Dressel just as the US swimming trials commenced in Indiana. They captioned the tweet, “Caeleb Dressel has already been to two Olympic Games and won seven Olympic gold medals. What makes this push for Paris special? It will be his first as a dad. ❤️ #SwimTrials24.”

In the video, Dressel talks excitedly about how his perspective on swimming and his career has shifted since the birth of his son, August. Recently at the TYR Pro Swim series in Westmont, the 27-year-old emphasized that alongside his professional anxieties, an added layer is how much he misses his newborn son. “Yeah I miss him,” the swimmer said, “I miss him so much. Been gone two days. I need to sniff him.” 

Dressel added more insights about the way he approaches parenting with August, “We go with Plan B, C or D… or all the way down the alphabet.“ Adding, “We read books and we were as prepared as we could be, but… I think Meghan and I just work together to try our best to figure out what August needs – he can’t talk [yet].”

He further emphasized how adapting to August and being spontaneous with plans accordingly has made it more possible for him to take risks. Caeleb said emphatically, “Everyone’s figuring each other out.” Caeleb has been quite open throughout the journey of becoming a first-time parent. He told the NBC Olympics that though he doesn’t necessarily need to refocus, there have been changes, jokingly adding, “diaper changes, and actual life changes, but it’s all been very fulfilling.”

Despite the challenges, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He mentioned that, while it hasn’t become more challenging for him, fatherhood has altered his perspective. However, he called his partner Meghan, his teammate, and said it’s been great fun parenting alongside her. Back when his son was born, Dressel had announced the news on February 20th, writing a very heartfelt note.

It read, “Welcome to the world, August Wilder Dressel 🩵🕊️✨ Our baby boy came bursting into our arms on Saturday morning after a very swift and powerful labor. Mom and Dad were in it together, and we had the intervention free birth that we had so hoped and prepared for.” It was accompanied by an adorable picture of August swaddled in a cot. It’s clear that Caeleb Dressel truly dotes on his son. 

The determined swimmer is gearing up for his third Olympics

Parenthood has not stopped Caeleb Dressel from moving swiftly forward with his plan to compete in his 3rd Olympics, after the 2016 Rio Games and 2020 Tokyo Games. The swimming trials kicking off today at the Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Colts. Dressel is the favorite to win the 100m men’s butterfly. This is because he holds multiple records in the event.

He has qualified for 3 events in the trials, and said, “Well, really, the trial is the big one. I don’t like to make any assumptions, so I’m really excited for trials, which are in Colts Stadium. So really excited to see what the pool looks like in person, and then hopefully for 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly my three babies, we’ll get up and boogie, and then we’ll be good to go to for Paris.“ As 250,000 spectators descend upon Indiana to watch the trials, all eyes will be on Caeleb Dressel as he tries to make his 3rd Olympic team.