Ledecky and Dressel headline star-studded San Antonio meet

The USA’s top swimmers are returning to top-level competition!

After one year out of competition due to the pandemic, the likes of Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Simone Manuel and Regan Smith will compete at a star-studded San Antonio leg of the Tyr Pro Series, 4-6 March.

Onlookers will be particularly excited to see Ledecky compete in the women’s 1500m freestyle, which is making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

The event is seemingly made for the five-time Olympic gold medallist and middle distance queen, who is already the world record holder in the event.

"I know there's a lot of women's freestylers that haven't had those opportunities that I've had and didn't have the opportunity to swim the 1,500 or even other events in the Olympics," said Ledecky in a video conference.

"So I'm going to take up the opportunity and hopefully get Team USA started on the right note for that event moving forward."

The 23-year-old will also compete in the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m free.

Also keep an eye on Dressel, who could win eight gold medals at Tokyo 2020 to equal Michael Phelps’ record at an Olympics.

The Florida native will swim in four events in San Antonio including the 100m and 200m free, and the 100m and 200m butterfly.

Elsewhere, Olympic champion Simone Manuel will line up against Ledecky in the 100m and 200m free, and will also take part in the 50m free.

“I told myself that I wasn’t going to put too many expectations on myself this year,” Manuel told On Her Turf. 

“I know that I’ve worked really hard. And so I know that that hard work will pay off. So I’m just excited to go out there and compete.”

There will be a fascinating clash in the women’s 100m backstroke between world record holder Regan Smith, Olympic silver medallist Kathleen Baker and 50m world champ Olivia Smoliga.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Ryan Murphy lines up in the 100m and 200m back, while Ryan Lochte will swim in six events as he continues his bid to make a fifth Games appearance at 36-years-old.

The USA Olympic Trials take place in Omaha, Nebraska June 4-7 and 13-20.