U.S. Swimming Championships 2023: Caeleb Dressel will miss the World Championships
The seven-time Olympic gold medallist came up short in his final event - the 50m freestyle - and will not qualify to next month's global event.
Swimming
Caeleb Dressel will not qualify to the 2023 FINA World Championships next month in Fukuoka, Japan, after coming up short in the men's 50m freestyle prelims Saturday (1 July) at the 2023 U.S. Swimming Championships in Indianapolis.
The 26-year-old qualified to the C final with a time of 22.72, more than a full second behind the top qualifier Ryan Held. Held swam 21.65.
Dressel is returning to competitive swimming after pulling out of last year's global event to focus on his health. The 50m free was his final chance to earn a spot on the U.S. team to the Worlds.
The seven-time Olympic gold medalist spoke to reporters after his final race, admitting he missed the sport during his time away.
“I missed it, almost every day. I missed the little things in the sport — blowing bubbles, my toes on the grip tape, chlorine, believe it or not — I hate chlorine — I missed the chlorine, I missed the dry skin, I missed every part of it," he said. "And that’s how I knew I was ready to get back: because I didn’t need to, I wanted to.”
Coach Anthony Nesty was upbeat about his pupil's first major event back.
“Overall, very pleased. He was very happy with where he’s at. We have a starting point, and we can go from there," Nesty told reporters on Saturday. “Mentally, he’s right where he needs to be. He’s happy, [it's the] first time I’ve seen him happy swimming in a long time. A happy athlete is a fast athlete.
"Obviously, he’s not fast yet," Nesty continued, "but under the circumstances, where he’s at, he did post some fast times.”
Carson Foster notched his third win of the championships in the 200m IM, posting a 1:57.97 ahead of Shaine Casas' 1:57.47.
"I'm happy with it, it's so much more than me though, it's all the people, my coaches, my teammates, people help me outside of the water," said Foster, who has taken time to highlight his teammates and fellow competitors throughout the week. "I'm really happy with how I swam, but it's not a one-person show."
Earlier in the day, Olympic 400m IM champion Chase Kalisz, who finished second in Indy in the men's 400m, withdrew from the event, citing food poisioning.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Bobby Finke (7:40.34) took the men's 800m freestyle win, adding to his 1500m title from earlier in the week, while Ryan Held (21.50) closed the competition out with a win in the men's 50m free.