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Caeleb Dressel Splits 26.15 on the 2nd 50 to Win the 100 Fly at the Atlanta Classic 😱

2024 SPEEDO ATLANTA CLASSIC DRIVEN BY JIM ELLIS CADILLAC

When Caeleb Dressel swam 48.30 in the 100 free on Thursday at the Speedo Atlanta Classic, it was his fastest time since his mid-Worlds disappearance in 2022 that was followed by a big hiatus.

When he won the 100 fly on Friday in 51.38, it wasn’t significant in the same way. He has been faster this year – a month ago in San Antonio, he swam 50.84.

But in some ways, this swim might have been even more significant than his 100 free. His splitting saw him go 25.23 going out and 26.15 going home. While 51.38 won’t win any Olympic medals, closing in 26.15 will.

Here’s a split comparison from when Dressel broke the World Record at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games:

CAELEB DRESSEL CAELEB DRESSEL KRISTOF MILAK KRISTOF MILAK
New WR Old WR New ER Old ER
50m 23.00 22.83 23.65 23.58
100m 26.45 26.67 26.03 26.60
Final Time 49.45 49.50 49.68 50.18

Milak’s 26.03 split in Tokyo is believed to be the fastest-ever back half split in a (serious) 50 fly race.

When his meet is cobbled together in totality, there’s something to see here. A comeback-best time in the 100 free. A 1:47.38 in the 200 free earlier in the session that is the third-best of his career, splitting 52.84-54.54, another fast back-half split. And then this 100 fly.

Dressel is playing, tinkering, fine-tuning. He has the confidence to know that “going as fast as he can” may not be the only goal, and “trying something” could be just as valuable. A playful Dressel, a tinkering Dressel, is the Dressel we saw when he was at the peak of his swimming career.

A month out from the Olympic Trials, that’s a positive sign for a swimmer who was on top of the swimming world two years ago. It’s no guarantee of success in June or, more importantly, July and August, but it’s a sign that the pieces are falling into place for that success to hit.

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Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
5 months ago

Now that is the Caeleb Dressel we all know and love.

Go USA Swimming!

Princedusang
5 months ago

To the best, Caleb could bring one 🥇 home.

His prospect in Paris is being overshadowed by surging pressure from other competitors.

Gook luck to him.

David
5 months ago

Dude is washed no medal this summer

Greg P2
5 months ago

Milak has the current ER but the old ER was from Cavic 49.95 from Rome 2009

BingBopBam
5 months ago

GIFs on the home page? Is this a new thing or have I been blind

Greg P
Reply to  BingBopBam
5 months ago

They have done a few.

Andy
5 months ago

I don’t see him winning a single Gold at the Olympics.

Owlmando
5 months ago

Not my goat…

Owlmando
Reply to  Owlmando
5 months ago

Everyone’s goat 😎

Tracy Kosinski
Reply to  Owlmando
5 months ago

Yup, in agreement. I think Dressel and Ledecky are the ultimate GOATs and will surprise many this summer.

Eye guy
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
5 months ago

How quickly people forget about Phelps, the actual GOAT

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Eye guy
5 months ago

Male – Phelps
Female – Ledecky

There exists two genders.

Last edited 5 months ago by Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Tracy Kosinski
5 months ago

Katie Ledecky is primed to match her performance at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in the W 800 FR and W 1500 FR.

As a footnote, Katie Ledecky needs to adhere to the race plan in the W 800 FR from the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and 2016 Arena Pro Swim Series – Austin, TX. Refer to the splits at the 100 meter mark, 200 meter mark, 300 meter mark, 400 meter mark for further details.

Swordfish
5 months ago

Dressel will be on podium in 100 fly in Paris, probability of gold/silver/bronze – 40/40/20, while his foster bro Milak is right there waiting.

Dressel might outswim McEvoy in 50 free more likely than not, cuz the latter theoretically outraces him but statistically trails in barn burners.

Dressel doesn’t stand a chance or does a slim one in 100 free, while his rivals like newbies Pan/Popovici or peer Chalmers could convincingly dash his hopes of defending.

John
Reply to  Swordfish
5 months ago

Milak will not medal in 100 fly. Dressel, Liendo, Grousset will sub 50

Greg P2
Reply to  John
5 months ago

Did you really forgot about the current Olympic bronze medalist in the 100 fly? He just swam 50.18 a month ago…
People keep forgetting him…but he is going to remind everyone

PACFAN
Reply to  Greg P2
5 months ago

This is that one time someone said to look out for schooling in 16. (Was it EVB?)

Swordfish
Reply to  John
5 months ago

Milak’s fans may feel the opposite, Dressel is not able to medal in 100 fly.

From a neutral view, Milak and Dressel are buddies sharing similar situations, i.e. struggling to come back, not guaranteeing to win anew.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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