By David Rieder
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, December 13. DURING day two prelims at the Speedo Winter Junior Nationals, Caeleb Dressel had to be taken from the Greensboro Aquatic Center with reported lung issues. Bolles coach Sergio Lopez told Swimming World that the issue arose due to issues with the air quality inside the facility. Lopez said, “I think, because of the air quality or whatever it is, everybody is suffering, at least on this side of the pool.”
Lopez indicated that the problem began on Thursday following Dressel’s impressive 18.94 leadoff leg on Bolles’ winning 200 free relay. Dressel was spotted after the race leaning over a garbage can as if to throw up. Still, he managed to swim and win the individual 50 free and then anchor Bolles’ 400 medley relay. In today’s prelims, Dressel swam the fly leg on Bolles’ 200 medley relay and then the 100 fly, where he qualified first. “I think after the 100 fly, he turned around and looked at the coaches, and he couldn’t breathe,” says Lopez. “As far as I know right now, he’s in the emergency room at the hospital.”
Swimming World is working to obtain more details on Dressel’s situation. We will update this article when we learn more.
