Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Caeleb Dressel

How Caeleb Dressel built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Caeleb Dressel is an accomplished American swimmer, renowned for his prowess in freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley. Representing the Cali Condors in the International Swimming League, Dressel achieved a record-breaking seven gold medals at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. He continued his success with nine medals at the 2018 World Short Course Swimming Championships and eight medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships. A nine-time Olympic gold medalist, Dressel currently holds world records in the 100 meter butterfly and 100 meter individual medley, solidifying his position as a dominant force in competitive swimming.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Phelps's Seven Golds

In 2007, Michael Phelps was the first swimmer to win seven gold medals at a single World Championships, a feat later matched by Caeleb Dressel in 2017.

2012: 2012 United States Olympic Trials

In 2012, Caeleb Dressel, at 15 years old, was the youngest male swimmer at the United States Olympic Trials but did not make the US Olympic Team.

August 2013: 2013 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships

In August 2013, at 17 years old, Caeleb Dressel won six medals, including gold in the 100 meter freestyle, at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Dubai.

2013: Speedo Winter Junior National Championships

In 2013, Caeleb Dressel became the youngest swimmer to break the 19-second barrier in the 50 yard freestyle at the Speedo Winter Junior National Championships.

2013: Relay Split

Leading up to the 2013 NCAA Championships, Dressel became the second person to split under 18.00 seconds for 50 yards of freestyle on a relay.

2014: University of Florida

In 2014, Caeleb Dressel began his collegiate swimming career at the University of Florida, majoring in Resources and Conservation.

2015: 2015 National Championships

In 2015, at the senior National Championships in San Antonio, Texas, Caeleb Dressel won two individual titles in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle events.

2015: 2015 NCAA Title

In 2015, during his freshman year at the University of Florida, Caeleb Dressel, at 18 years old, won the NCAA title in the 50 yard freestyle.

2016: Refocus on 2016 Summer Olympics

After not making the 2012 US Olympic Team, Dressel refocused his efforts towards the 2016 Summer Olympics.

2016: 2016 Men's NCAA Division I Championships

At the 2016 Men's NCAA Division I Championships, Caeleb Dressel broke the American and US Open records in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics Gold Medal

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Caeleb Dressel won his first Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay.

2016: Second Gold Medal at 2016 Olympics

Caeleb Dressel won his second gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games by swimming freestyle in the heats of the 4×100 meter medley relay.

2016: 2016 US Olympic Trials

In 2016, Caeleb Dressel made the 2016 US Olympic Team in the 100 meter freestyle by finishing second at the US Olympic Trials.

2017: 2017 NCAA Division I Championships

At the 2017 NCAA Division I Championships, Caeleb Dressel broke the American and US Open records in the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard freestyle.

2017: 2017 World Aquatics Championships

At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Caeleb Dressel won seven gold medals and was named the male swimmer of the meet.

March 22, 2018: NCAA, American and US Open Records

On March 22, 2018, Caeleb Dressel broke the NCAA, American, and US Open records in the 50 yard freestyle thrice at the NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships. He also broke the American and US open records in the 100 yard butterfly the next day.

July 2018: 2018 US National Championships

In July 2018, at the US National Championships in Irvine, California, Caeleb Dressel won the 100 meter butterfly and secured a spot on the Pan Pacific Championships team.

July 19, 2018: Dressel Turns Professional

On July 19, 2018, Caeleb Dressel officially turned professional, marking a significant milestone in his swimming career by signing a sponsorship deal with the swimwear brand Speedo.

August 2018: 2018 Pan Pacific Championships

In August 2018, at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Caeleb Dressel won the 100 meter butterfly and other medals, but faced challenges due to a recent motorcycle accident.

2018: 2018 World Short Course Swimming Championships

In 2018, Caeleb Dressel won nine medals, including six gold, at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Hangzhou.

2018: 2018 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships

In February 2018, at the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships, Caeleb Dressel broke the American, US Open, and NCAA records in the 100 yard breaststroke and also set a new American record in the 200 yard individual medley.

2018: 2018 NCAA Division I Championships

In March 2018, at the NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Championships, Caeleb Dressel won all three of his individual races and his first relay national title.

2019: 2019 World Aquatics Championships

In 2019, Caeleb Dressel won eight medals, including six gold, at the World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju.

August 2020: Dressel's Analysis of Record

In August 2020, Caeleb Dressel provided his analysis of the 100 yard breaststroke record in a video on his YouTube channel.

September 2020: SPIRE Institute Collaboration

In September 2020, SPIRE Institute and Academy announced their collaboration with Caeleb Dressel, focusing on supporting students through various programs, including curriculum development, training methods, and facilities design.

2020: 2020 Summer Olympics

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Caeleb Dressel won five gold medals, becoming the fifth American to achieve this in a single Olympic Games since 1970.

June 14, 2021: Olympic Trials: 200m Freestyle Prelims

On June 14, 2021, at the USA Swimming Olympic Trials, Caeleb Dressel participated in the 200 meter freestyle prelims, achieving a time of 1:46.63 and securing the 2nd overall ranking, which positioned him as the 20th fastest American in the event's history; however, he chose not to compete in the semifinals.

June 16, 2021: Olympic Trials: 100m Freestyle Semifinals Qualification

On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, Caeleb Dressel qualified for the semifinals in the 100 meter freestyle at the Olympic Trials, ranking 5th in the prelims with a time of 48.25. That evening, Dressel advanced to the final with a leading time of 47.77 in the semifinals.

June 17, 2021: Olympic Trials: 100m Freestyle Win

On June 17, 2021, Caeleb Dressel won the 100m freestyle at the US Olympic Trials with a time of 47.39. The win secured his spot on the US Olympic Swimming team for the 100m freestyle and the 4 × 100m freestyle relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics, marking his second Olympic Games qualification. He also tied the US Open and Championships record for the 100 meter freestyle.

August 11, 2021: Guinness World Record

On August 11, 2021, Caeleb Dressel was awarded the Guinness World Record for "Most FINA world records held by an individual (current)", owing to his then-current 9 FINA world records.

November 2021: Parting Ways with Coach Gregg Troy

In November 2021, Caeleb Dressel amicably ended his long-term coaching relationship with Gregg Troy, transitioning to work under Anthony Nesty, who had taken over from Troy as head coach at the University of Florida in 2018.

2024: 2024 Summer Olympics

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Caeleb Dressel won gold medals in the 4x100 freestyle relay and 4x100 mixed medley relay, tying for 2nd-most Olympic golds after Michael Phelps.