Victim of Panic Attacks And Depression, Caeleb Dressel Opened Up About the Dark Side of Swimming: “”F** Me. F** My Body

Mental health woes. A word that is much more painful than the branding of a horse. With the mega games setting the stage for athletes to be prepared to give it their all, physically and mentally, one name reverberates and it screams duality. Yes, you heard that right. The name is Caeleb Dressel, one of the greatest to  grace the turquoise waters. He’s had success, along with chinks in his armor in equal measure. The focus is on the USA’s hope, particularly with him set to compete. Before his anticipated appearance in Paris, Dressel will first participate in the trials scheduled for June 15, a mere three days from today. Known as one of the world’s top sprint swimmers, Dressel specializes in 50-meter and 100-meter events.

As the defending Olympic champion, Dressel aims to secure his spot in the upcoming Games. Holding the American record at an impressive 46.96 seconds, Dressel boasts seven Olympic gold medals. Despite his remarkable success, Dressel, standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, faced his own set of challenges on the path to this point, which was not always smooth sailing.

Inside Caeleb Dressel’s raw confessions

After securing an impressive five medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were postponed to 2021 and held from July 23 onwards, Caeleb Dressel candidly revealed the toll the Olympics had on his mental well-being. Even the aftermath of the Games left Dressel feeling lost, prompting him to withdraw from parts of the International Swimming League in August of that year as he grappled with finding a sense of balance in his life. Despite his success, Dressel found himself in tears on Christmas Day in 2021, reflecting on his ongoing struggle to regain equilibrium, six months post-Olympics.

In a Sports-Illustrated interview, Dressel acknowledged the need for support and honesty in coping with his mental health challenges. The Olympic champion expressed feelings of being lost and torn between seeking distance from swimming, which had been his sanctuary, and the pressure to excel. He noted the unfairness he imposed on himself for not meeting the lofty performance goals he had set, despite clinching five gold medals on the grandest global stage.

Dressel’s journey sheds light on the intense pressure and scrutiny that accompanied his rise to the top of the swimming world. Being compared to Michael Phelps, who retired in 2016, added weight to expectations on Dressel. He was facing stress, even to the point of physical manifestations, like the inability to eat or sleep.

Caeleb Dressel shared a poignant excerpt from his swimming logbook, illustrating the unseen struggles of an elite athlete. “Yeah, F— me, f—ing terrible. My body is done.” He emphasized the sincerity of his words, recognizing the weight they carried. “F— me. F— my body. F— swimming. Jeez. Yeah, there’s a totally different side of the sport that a lot of people don’t see.“ His candid reflection delved into the intense pressure and self-imposed standards that defined his pursuit of perfection, offering a rare glimpse into the realities behind the glamour of competitive swimming. But all this stems back from his high school.

Can he rise like a phoenix from the ashes at Paris?

After Tokyo, he achieved success at the 2022 World Championships with two gold medals. But Caeleb Dressel encountered challenges that led to his withdrawal from the event due to a health issue. But he came back in February 2023. Dressel faced setbacks in July when he failed to qualify for the World Championships. Upon returning to competition, he candidly attributed his hiatus to mental health struggles, acknowledging the build-up of suppressed emotions that eventually surfaced. But it all started in high school.

He was battling panic attacks amidst the rising expectations and spotlight of the swimming world. As he prepares for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, we hope he possesses the power to vanquish his past demons effortlessly. With his dedication to his sport and country, Dressel emerges as a formidable contender, who will potentially carry the flag for the USA at the prestigious global event-Paris 2024.