Is it really wrong to express your emotions? After hearing Caeleb Dressel’s story, you might start to rethink that idea. On August 2 at the Paris Olympics, he faced a tough day that left him in tears on the pool deck. Yes, even seasoned Olympians can feel that way! This is the same athlete who set an Olympic record in the 50-meter freestyle in Tokyo, yet in Paris, he finished sixth in that event. As if that wasn’t enough, he missed out on the 100-meter butterfly final just an hour later.

After his losses, Caeleb Dressel was shaken on the pool deck, with red, puffy eyes as he wiped away his tears. NBC captured those emotional moments of him back-to-back, which clearly showed how heavy the disappointment weighed on him. While some viewers criticized NBC for focusing on his visible devastation—one person on X even urged, “How about y’all have some respect for the athletes like Caeleb Dressel and don’t take advantage of his disappointment. Don’t leave the camera on him for multiple minutes”. But what really matters is how Caeleb felt in that moment.

And guess what? He recently opened up about it in an interview with SwimSwam on YouTube, offering a deeper look into his emotions and experiences at that time. When the host asked Caeleb how he felt at that time, he responded, “I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. Um, you can certainly have an opinion on whether I should have sucked it up a little better, uh, whether the camera shouldn’t have been on me. I don’t blame NBC at all that they’re there to get content, I don’t blame it at all….. I’m not even upset that the camera was on… didn’t see the camera. Um, I made it to, I did the whole mix zone, chin was up, um, answered my questions.”

Well, Caeleb Dressel doesn’t regret that moment at all! What’s really inspiring is how he bounced back after feeling disappointed. He played a key role in helping Team USA snag a second-place finish in the 4×100 medley relay – his first Olympic medal that isn’t gold. It’s a big change for him, considering all nine of his other Olympic medals were for first-place finishes. This just goes to show his ability to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned. But Dressel is a different man and swimmer now compared to the one who dominated in Tokyo. So, what’s changed for him since then?

Caeleb Dressel turned his life upside down but found balance in fatherhood!

At the Tokyo Olympics, Caeleb Dressel electrified the world, clinching five gold medals—three in individual events and two in relays—solidifying his status as one of swimming’s all-time greats. Yet, behind the glitz of Olympic triumph, Dressel was battling something much deeper: the crushing weight of pressure and expectation. Just a year later, in 2022, he made the shocking decision to withdraw from the World Championships, citing health reasons. It was later revealed that Dressel needed a break for his mental health, admitting that the sport he loved had become a toxic burden.

After taking some much-needed time away from the pool, Dressel’s world took a joyful turn with the arrival of his son, August, in February 2024. Parenthood brought a fresh perspective, and Dressel credits his wife, Meghan, for being his anchor during this transformative period. While juggling fatherhood and elite training might seem daunting, Dressel has found a balance, making his return to the water in December 2023.

Though he didn’t reach the podium for some of his signature events in the most recent competitions, Dressel remains undeterred, his passion for the sport reignited. With his newfound perspective and determination, fans everywhere are eager to see what this next chapter holds for the swimming icon. Stay tuned—the best might still be yet to come for Caeleb Dressel!