WATCH: Caeleb Dressel Talks to Press for First Time Since 2022 Worlds (FULL INTERVIEW)

[@lucasadonohue]

This is what Caeleb wanted, to have happiness and swimming together. He claimed to have them both before, and it clearly shows in this interview. As incredible of an athlete as he is, this is a great reminder that things such as sports are meant to bring us joy! Can't wait to see how Caeleb continues striving for greatness and happiness in the future!

[@user-em4wh5ji3w]

Glad to see him in good spirits. Love it. Whatever you want to do in the sport, we’ll be here as fans!

[@simfora8053]

I thought Caeleb did really good. I know is placement wasn’t great but I thought his times were really good for taking a year off. He said that there’s still time to have a come back. And I truly believe that he will come back stronger then ever. Keep up the good work Caeleb.

[@Bsfishing44]

It’s awesome to see him back and good to see he’s doing well.

[@seantheswimmer]

thats the face of a changed man. i think were abt to see the new era of dressel and i cant wait

[@keatonrice578]

He looks really happy. Love it so much

[@delta5lover]

What I see in this is a young man who has come alive after perhaps feeling like he was going through the motions for some time. He just oozes contentment, and whatever the future holds performance wise, it looks like the difficult decision a year ago has been a great one for him as a person.

[@verward]

Ok, he started training in february, so basically he had 4 months. He started with 3 times a week a slowly build and he managed to final in the us nationals 2 times and swam a 51.66 in the 100 fly. Just think about that fact alone. 51.66 is a respectable time for a PB of someone who had a serious college career at their peak. I think he'll be back to 49.5

[@ccbgaming6994]

Yep. He is a very mature person and a driven and smart athlete, so I have no doubt that he will be able to regain his speed if not improve it.

[@garystahler9112]

Too bad that Romanian will probably beat him.

[@sbptrb]

I’m very proud of this very talented young man. He’ll be just fine, whatever, wherever.

[@davidlui9942]

I think what people tend to forget is that there is no off season in swimming. It's not like basketball or football where you could possibly have a 2-3 month break in basketball or 4-6 month break in football and still be back in top form. There is so much more that goes into swimming practice that any length of break will definitely increase your time. It's difficult to win a gold medal but it's even more difficult to repeat as gold medalist. Caleb Dressel has done it in swimming, winning gold medal after gold medal in the Olympics, that you need that break to find happiness outside of swimming. Happy for him.

[@Lcruz2627]

This guys swimming IQ is off the charts! That’s what makes him special along with him being such a physical specimen

[@missionbelle28]

This guy is truly, truly impressive. He's got an amazing head on his shoulders and I root for whatever path he chooses in life. I hope the road to Paris is smooth for him and that he gets to represent the USA again.

[@DamionJR4923]

Caeleb is a super nice guy. He has a great personality that part is also missed not just his swimming.

[@tysonhuynh3460]

Remember a happy swimmer makes a fast swimmer!

[@eamontyson8252]

Ofc yes bc you are a happy swimmer when you see summer!

[@tysonhuynh3460]

@@eamontyson8252 wtf stop🙈🙈🙈

[@willmckinneystan685]

You can’t run from me Tyson...

[@tysonhuynh3460]

@@willmckinneystan685 ayo?? do I got a fan! 😂😂

[@StarHCR2-YT]

True that!

[@trn8061]

Good to see Dressel back, I hope to see him at his best for Paris. ❤

[@jamescoulter9488]

he's so happy!!!!

[@justinvalentine9181]

He's glowing! ✨️

[@ae9is603]

MY KING IS BACK 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@eitanborochov]

His happiness makes me smile 😁

[@FrancescaBuscicchio]

Just so good to have him back in the swimming community ❤️💪

[@paulvest3157]

It's funny to me that when he's being the humble soft spoken guy in interviews then, when he's on the blocks he appears intimidating and a bad ass.

[@julsieeeswim]

i think people need to be reminded that these athletes are people to, they need a break sometimes just like us. can’t wait to see him in paris and the rest of his career ❤❤

[@Slowhand871]

He only owes himself his own honesty.

[@andriykashuba7604]

So happy for him 🙏🏻

[@Redwhiteblue-gr5em]

Looks like he’s got his head straight and will likely have a great 2024.

[@susanacardona6450]

I just feel so happy that he’s back 🥰

[@floridagators4life]

Nice to see you again Dressel! 😊

[@alexstark9071]

Ben and Caeleb show

[@anthonyburke7669]

That interview must have been hard. No reason to be embarrassed. “The Body Keeps the Score”. Stay strong.

[@rufflev3892]

I love you ❤ caeleb dressel

[@tonyphang1229]

Your smile make me have a happy day ❤️

[@Wilsonbradas]

We just want you to be happy! You're still amazing no matter what!

[@FastSwimmer24]

Caleb no matter what is the best sprinter in American history both with the best physical strength in the sport and the strongest mindset that will ultimately allow him to swim longer

[@CeciliaCorradini]

You'll definitely be fine, champion. 👏

[@allydea]

welcome back!

[@edubielalpizar4391]

lovely to see a person, an athlete and sb who achieved (7x) what most athletes indeed never get (go to the Olympics, win a medal, win a Gold medal, come on) but the BEST is to see sb that despite ALL that success have found BALANCE in life. Thats more difiicult than going to the Olympics...

[@user-zy5eb1sc5q]

Love this guy

[@donkoh5738]

Brilliant mind of this natural born champion in his sport, communicating the raw human view in that interview there... high respects to him. And if Caeleb ever wishes to randomly train in whichever spectrum outside the box for a few days, he's more than welcome to come and stay here, we'll set him and guest up on the Island here... got a nicely balanced clean chlorinated 25 yd pool, as well as some 74 degree semi-flat Ocean waters, or 76 in the Harbor 🏊🔛

[@kirbycat5898]

“I was good about just not having anything on my agenda. It wasn’t lazy. No, it wasn’t lazy. That was exactly what I needed to be doing.”

[@phil5037]

This is very similar to what I've been going through for the past year and I've had the same thoughts about missing the thing I was in but also not needing it. And it's also something that I have a lot of talent and potential in, but I still don't know if I'll go back like Caeleb did.

[@qq7903]

Boy’s extremely confident

[@arnauabarca]

Regardless of whether he makes it to Paris or not, he is a true winner for his mindset. He is ready to do the tough work, so the rest will take care by itself…

[@BruhBruh-sl6rl]

The no bull hoodie fire tho

[@sofiabgaryan6303]

❤❤❤

[@hatchegg80]

looking good

[@pearlbernard7999]

These athletes are mentally and physically drained Simone Biles Simone Manuel Dressel are people first.❤❤

[@sofiabgaryan6303]

No worries, hopefully you’ll be all set for Paris 2024❤

[@ZiggyBoon]

My 2 cents of opinion is that his time off was kind of like Jordan playing baseball, and then coming back to basketball to win a couple more championships. Paris is a year in the future, so let's see what happens.

[@jasontao2722]

No more mustache😢

[@runmvp]

I heard that he didn't qualify for the world championships

[@mopm5188]

He doesn’t seems good at all he always move with his eyes that not a good sign hope he will be healthy because I think he still doesn’t need to come back until he will be total healthy and if not he doesn’t need to be in the swimming pool first thing is to be healthy

[@zmitch88]

Caleb. Allow this. What was the cost having never been married?

[@theresistance713]

psychiatric drugs is ruining this kid and his career

[@nikitashevchenko105]

Wtf r u talking about

[@PhilZhou-fx4wj]

I’m sorry but that was a lame interview. No one asked him the questions that are on the minds of most people if they are honest about it, which are: 1. “What really happened? Why did you quit on the team during the MIDDLE of World Championships last year?” 2. “You quit the meet right before your semifinal face in the 100 free. What impact did Popovici have on your mindset to quit the meet before your semifinal and final races with him?” 3. “There were reports that you had panic attacks on the team bus prior to show-down in the 100 free with Popovici, basically that you freaked out and shut down. Is that true or what really happened? “ 4. “The issue is not that you took a break. It’s that you took a break DURING the meet before your key individual events and important relays. If you really just need a break, why did you quit DURING the World Championships instead of after or before the meet?” 5. “Why do you believe you deserve another chance to represent Team USA in international meets? When you quit on the team during the middle of the meet all your individual events were forefetied. No other Team USA swimmer could take your place once the meet has begun. Taking a spot but not swimming is not fair to your fellow swimmers. Your explanation is somewhat flippant that you just wanted to take a break with no further explanation. How can we believe you won’t do this again during another world championship meet?” 6. “Do you believe you owe your fellow Team USA swimmers and all your fans an apology for quiting on the team during the middle of the meet?” 7. “Do you think as team captain quitting and leaving the meet before your marque events (100 free and 100 fly) sets a good example for other swimmers that you are supposed to be leading and mentoring?” I’m not a Caleb hater. I really like the guy but he’s being very disingenuous by blowing this off and characterizing it as just needed to take a break - like, hey man, no big deal, but it was DURING the world championships right before his showdown in the 100 free with Popovici. And he left Team USA in a bad spot by abandoning them during the meet, forfeiting all his individual events, and undoubtedly costing them a gold in the 400 medley relay. Just be honest and give a real explanation.

[@endeavourdeandre]

Popovici * ;)

[@PhilZhou-fx4wj]

@@endeavourdeandre Corrected the name spelling, thank you!

[@endeavourdeandre]

​@@PhilZhou-fx4wj You're welcome ;)

[@StarHCR2-YT]

Are you stupid?! The reason is being that is private! Be thankful he even came back! The reason COULD be PRIVATE! Have some consideration

[@Lcruz2627]

@@PhilZhou-fx4wj Facts!