Seven-time Olympian Caeleb Dressel won the US Olympic trials in Indianapolis, securing his place to defend his 50-meter freestyle championship in Paris. Dressel thrilled the Lucas Oil Stadium audience by winning the 50 metres in 21.41 seconds, although he was unable to retain his 100-meter freestyle title due to his third-place finish.
In the 100 free, Chris Guiliano came in first and will swim in the 50 metres in Paris, only missing second place by 0.001 seconds over Matt King. Regan Smith won her third solo event at the trials after dominating the 200 backstroke, adding to her workload in Paris. Smith, who won the 200 butterfly on Thursday and established the world record for the 100 backstroke on Tuesday, finished the 200 backstroke in 2:05.16, more than a second
faster than Phoebe Bacon.
Smith highlighted the differences between her experience in Tokyo and now as she acknowledged her happiness with her performance. “It’s a night and day difference between 2021 (the Tokyo Olympics) and now,” she stated. Carson Foster completed the individual medley double by defeating Shaine Casas in the last freestyle leg to win the 200 IM, the evening’s final event, in 1:55.65. Casas earned his first Olympic berth after coming in second.
