Getty Image / Maddie Meyer
Team USA star swimmer Caeleb Dressel faced high expectations heading into the 2024 Summer Olympics In Paris after winning five golds three years ago in Tokyo. But, things haven’t necessarily gone his way in the city of lights this week.
After two poor swims in the 50M Freestyle Final and the 100M Butterfly Semifinals, his hopes of an individual medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics is gone. And, he may only have himself to blame.
Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde is in Paris covering swimming at the Olympics, and early this morning reported that Dressel had said that he had stayed up late watching television.
Caeleb Dressel says he was up late watching Game of Thrones last night.
He’s halfway through a four-swim day. Fifty free final and 100 fly semi tonight.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 2, 2024
It’s unclear if Dressel is actually watching the original HBO hit, or if he’s watching the spinoff, House of the Dragon. Both are good shows, but neither of them is worth ruining your Olympics for!
While ruined may be a strong word, it was not a good evening session in the pool in Paris for Caeleb Dressel.
He attempted to defend his Olympic title in the 50M Freestyle, but took 6th in swimming’s fastest race.
Cameron McEvoy makes HISTORY. 🇦🇺
He takes gold in the 50m free to become the first-ever Australian to medal in the event!#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/XU5wOqYXCy
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 2, 2024
Then, he came back an hour later and missed the finals completely in the 100m Butterfly. Caeleb Dressel was seen crying after the race, which could be his last individual event ever at the Olympics if he decided not to continue on to 2028’s home Olympics in Los Angeles.
It’s hard not to think that if he could’ve got a little more sleep that things could’ve been different for Caeleb Dressel on Friday.