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Caeleb Dressel equals Usain Bolt's Olympic gold record at 2024 Paris Games
Caeleb Dressel clinched his eighth Olympic gold medal in Paris, further strengthening his swimming legacy. In doing so, he also equaled the legendary sprinter Usain Bolt's gold medal tally.
Dressel made his Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games and helped the relay teams win the 4x100 meter freestyle and the 4x100 meter medley gold medals. At the next edition in Tokyo, however, he truly showed the world what he was capable of.
In the Japanese capital, the American won a whopping five gold medals. He took the top honors in the 50 meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle, and 100 meter butterfly. Dressel also helped the relay teams win the 4x100 meter freestyle and the 4x100-meter medley once again.
The 27-year-old began his campaign in Paris on a strong note, helping the 4x100m freestyle relay team win the gold medal at the Games for the third consecutive edition, taking his total Olympic gold medal tally to eight.
Bolt, on the other hand, first made his mark at the 2008 Beijing Games. He won the men’s 100m and 200m events, breaking the world record in both events in the process.
Four years later in London, the Jamaican broke his own Olympic record to win 100m once again. He then won 200m and the 4x100m relay to secure another triple crown. At Rio 2016, he won all three titles once again to make it eight gold medals from three appearances.
Winning gold 'doesn't get old' for Caeleb Dressel
Caeleb Dressel has made a habit of winning only gold medals at the Olympic Games. After winning his eighth Games gold in Paris, he stated that he still experiences the same high as he did when he won his first gold eight years ago.
In the 4x100 meter freestyle at La Defense Arena on Saturday (July 27), Team USA won the relay gold, with Dressel being the anchor and securing the victory. Speaking to reporters after the event, he stated that the win was extra special as it was achieved with his five-month-old son watching from the sidelines.
"It's really special, making the team in front of him and then winning a gold in front of him. Just checking little boxes that I never would have thought to create throughout my career. You can't explain this moment until you're on the podium watching the flag go up. I remember how it was for me, my first gold," he said. (via AP)
"It's an extremely special moment and no one can take that away from them (his teammates). Relays are a little more special. It takes me right back to my first gold, it really doesn't get old," he added.
The Florida native will not look to defend the 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle gold medals he won at the Tokyo Olympics.
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