Few swimming fans can forget the sight of a heartbroken Caeleb Dressel after the men’s 50-meter freestyle final at the Paris Olympics. He entered the event as the reigning champ, but when the dust settled, the scoreboard showed him in a shocking 6th place. Australian veteran Cameron McEvoy had bested him, leaving many to wonder if redemption was even on Caeleb’s radar. Some fans on X didn’t hold back, labeling his Paris performance “a letdown overall.” But the 28-year-old has always been a tough nut to crack. Instead of dwelling on defeat, he’s gearing up for a big comeback, determined to go out on a high note.

This past Saturday, Caeleb was spotted at Daytona International Speedway, taking some time to unwind with his wife and fellow swimmer Bobby Finke, the only American male swimmer to bring home gold from Paris. But even while taking a break, Caeleb’s mind is still on the pool. He’s got his sights set on the LA Olympics, where he plans to reclaim his golden glory.

Caeleb’s strategy? Focus solely on the 50-meter freestyle. “I think maybe just the 50 free, put a little bit more muscle on, don’t have to be in as good a shape. So maybe look forward to just doing the splash-and-dash. That might be a good time for me,” he told the Associated Press. If he pulls it off, it’ll be a comeback for the ages.

In his Daytona remarks, Caeleb also shared how thrilled he was to see so many American flags waving in Paris. The thought of that same support on home soil in four years makes him emotional. “I can’t imagine actually having that same thing in the U.S. I think that would just be such a sweet way to end my career,” he said. Yep, you heard it—Caeleb just hinted at retirement! And if everything goes according to plan, it could be an iconic farewell for the swimming legend!

The last time the USA hosted the Olympics, Caeleb Dressel wasn’t even on the swimming world’s radar—he was born just 11 days after the Atlanta Games wrapped up. So, for him, the upcoming LA Olympics will carry a whole different significance. But as ambitious as his plans are, Caeleb’s also very aware of the ticking clock.

Four years later, at the LA Olympics, Caeleb Dressel will probably be one of the oldest swimmers in the contingent. So there’s a high chance that his age would restrict him in some way. That might be the reason the ten-time Olympic medalist restricted himself to the 50-meter free event. Notably, at the Paris Olympics, Dressel competed in five events (two individual and three relay events). 

In the individual events, the Gator swimmer failed to do justice to his fame (he finished sixth in the 50-meter free and couldn’t cut into the 100-meter butterfly event). However, in the relay events, he stood to be the difference. Therefore, cutting down on the other events for the sake of his key individual might do the job for him. Moreover, the penultimate decision narrates his mental strength in a few parameters. 

Caeleb Dressel is weighing his chances with seasoned maturity!

Caeleb Dressel’s battle with mental health has been a tough and ongoing journey. Back in 2022, it reached a breaking point, forcing him to step away from competitive swimming. But a break alone wasn’t the cure. Reflecting on that challenging time, Caeleb admitted, “I didn’t know what my future held. I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” It was a period marked by uncertainty and struggle, where therapy and the unwavering support of his wife, Meghan, were his lifelines. Yet, as they say, mindset is everything, and for Caeleb, that shift came slowly but surely.

Since last year’s U.S. Open Swimming Championship, we’ve seen glimpses of the old Caeleb Dressel. He’s been racking up victories, and his performance at the Olympic trials secured him a ticket to Paris—a feat that had seemed almost impossible just a year earlier. Even leading up to the Paris Olympics, Caeleb wasn’t sure of his capabilities. “I don’t know if I’ll ever go a best time ever again. That’s hard to say out loud,” he confessed. But now, he’s refocused, determined to achieve the goals he set four years ago.

For Caeleb Dressel, this resurgence is a positive sign, one that his fans are eagerly rallying behind. With the countdown to the 2028 LA Olympics underway, all eyes are on him. If he hits his mark, he could become one of the oldest champions in the 50-meter freestyle event at the Olympics—adding yet another impressive feather to his already decorated cap.