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World Championships: Caeleb Dressel Out for Remainder of the Meet
American sprinter Caeleb Dressel is out for the remainder of the FINA World Championships. Dressel won two gold medals to begin the meet (in the 400 freestyle relay and 50 butterfly), but after qualifying second for the 100 free semifinals Tuesday morning, he scratched that event with undisclosed health concerns. One day later, the decision has been made to end his meet early.
USA Swimming provided a statement to Swimming World on Dressel’s status: “After conferring with Caeleb, his coaches and the medical staff, a decision has been made to withdraw him from the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Our priority is and will always be the health of our athletes and we will continue give Caeleb the assistance he needs to recover quickly.”
The United States will be unable to replace Dressel in his remaining individual events, the 50 free and 100 fly, so Michael Andrew will be the lone U.S. swimmer in the field in both of those races. Dressel will also be unavailable for a pair of relays that he would normally contest, the mixed 400 freestyle relay (Friday) and the men’s 400 medley relay (Sunday). The U.S. would likely turn to Brooks Curry and Ryan Held to handle the men’s legs on the mixed relay, and one of those swimmers could anchor the men’s medley relay, while either Andrew or Shaine Casas could swim the butterfly leg of the medley relay.
If it’s an injury, I hope he bounces back quickly. If it’s an illness, I hope he gets well soon. American swimming needs people like Caleb.