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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Bryan Armen Graham at La Défense Arena

‘It’s heartbreaking’: Caeleb Dressel in tears after failing to defend Olympic crowns

Caleb Dressel won gold in the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly at the Tokyo Olympics.
Caleb Dressel won gold in the 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly at the Tokyo Olympics. Photograph: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Caeleb Dressel was left in tears on Friday night after failing to defend his Tokyo Olympic gold medals in both of the individual events he’d qualified for in Paris.

The Florida native, who turns 28 next month, finished sixth in the 50m freestyle final before coming in 13th in the 100m butterfly semi-finals after winning gold in both events three years ago in Tokyo. After finishing both races within the span of roughly 40 minutes, Dressel could be seen in tears off to the side of the pool, embracing a member of Team USA’s swimming staff.

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