Caeleb Dressel Hit With Career Heartbreak

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👋 Hey Team USA Fans!

EssentiallySports Daily is back with the recap of the day. Meaning, today we’ll dive into the highs and lows from swimming and the track & field world. Well, first things first, America has found itself a legendary track star. Grant Fisher has made history for the American Track and Field and shushed all the critics who ever doubted Americans with the shine of his medal.

As for the topic of victories, the French capital also has Leon Marchand to look forward to. Marchand has managed to join Michael Phelps’ circle with a historical Olympic run. On the other hand, it has not been all sunshine and rainbows for Caeleb Dressel, as he had to face a heartbreak at Paris La Defense Arena.

Off the competitive games, Jarrion Lawson revealed the ins and outs of the Olympic Village and how the USOPC has put the athletes out of their misery.

🥇MEDAL COUNT

Making Way to the Top!

🙌 HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

Caeleb Dressel Hit With Career Heartbreak

He was the record maker just three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics. 21.07 seconds in the 50m freestyle, that’s all it has taken for Caeleb Dressel to become the next best thing in swimming. However, his dreams and expectations came crashing down at the 2024 Summer Games. Dressel could not defend his gold at the 50m Freestyle final and finished 6th clocking 21.61, a whopping 0.36 behind the gold medalist, Cameron McEvoy (21.25). The 27-year-old could visibly be seen in tears as he made his way out and hugged a Team USA member. But that was not the only heartache that Dressel experienced at the Paris La Defense Arena on August 2.

Following this, the Florida native was out of contention in the men’s 100m butterfly semifinal, ranked 13th of the 16 swimmers. He needed to be 0.49 seconds faster to make it to the next stage, but the 51.57 records cut him short. The 7-time Olympic medalist accepted that it hadn’t been his best week and said, “I trained to go faster than the times I’m going. I know that… It’s tough, a little heartbreaking. A little heartbreaking for sure.” Being part of the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and winning gold with Team USA, the 27-year-old will have a chance to play at the 4x100m mixed medley relay and men’s medley relay. And may bid adieu to the Paris Olympics on a better note.

Dive Deeper: “There’s No Point”: Caeleb Dressel Burst Into Tears as He Fails to Get America’s Faith at Paris Olympics

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

🌟 ES EXCLUSIVE

American Olympian Reveals How USOPC Saved Team From Olympic Village Struggles

Cardboard beds, smaller rooms, and lack of air conditioners had made the athlete’s life a little miserable at the Olympic Village. Coco Gauff felt feminine rage because of the lack of bathrooms while Simone Biles exclaimed, “The bed sucks!” Well, the USOPC has relieved some of the problems faced by the athletes as the long jumper, Jarrison Lawson revealed to our EssentiallySports’ on-site reporter, Shreya Verma. 

The Razorback alum was enthralled to be a part of Team USA, which has been the hardest team to make it to, and was grateful to share the stage with elite athletes. However, the undesirable situation had bugged him too as he said, “They are leaving something to be desired,” until the USOPC came in clutch. They had sent the mattress toppers so that the cardboard beds were more tolerable.

And as for food, hear it from the athlete himself. “The food is a struggle but you know we're making our way. We have a lovely high-performance center that USOPC put together. And so we can eat there,” and also train better. Overall, Lawson had assured the Team USA fans that they were having a good time despite a few hurdles which were at first daunting for many. 

Dive Deeper: “Not What We Desired”: Olympic Village Struggles Detailed By Jarrion Lawson (Exclusive)

😎 HERO OF THE DAY

Grant Fisher Becomes 2nd American To Win 10,000m in 56 Years

America's decades-long wait has finally come to an end. For all these years, it was touted that the Americans couldn't compete to the level of East African and European runners. Well, track and field star Grant Fisher was told that too. He recalled, “When I was growing up, the narrative around the U.S. was you can’t compete with the rest of the world… The Americans just aren’t as good.” Boy, did he shut up the naysayers! With a 26.43.46 record, Fisher fulfilled his dream of reaching the Olympic podium and also made history for the entirety of the nation. 

He ended all those speculations and became just the second American to win a medal in the 10,000m men’s finals in the last 56 years of the Olympics, and the first after Galen Rupp rose to a silver win at the 2012 London Games. With this, Fisher claimed the 42nd medal for the United States and the first track medal at the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old would have matched Rupp’s second-place win, however, a late surge by Berihu Aregawi outed the American track star.

However, Fisher’s bronze was as good as the gold because he added only the fourth American name in the Olympics 10,000, race history, which was started in 1912. Fisher has been slated for the 5,000m race as well. This may mark his second quest for Olympic glory! 

Dive Deeper: “Americans Aren’t Good”: Grant Fisher Erases False Opinion After Breaking 56-Year Track & Field Record at Paris Olympics

Leon Marchand Erases Michael Phelps History

Well, it is indeed difficult to match Michael Phelps, but never impossible. It was proven by the home crowd favorite, Leon Marchand. Not one or two, the 22-year-old young star bagged four gold medals for France at the Paris La Defense Arena. The crowd was going berserk, as he had already won at the 400 IM, 200m butterfly, and 200m breaststroke and was on his way to the fourth gold medal. 

The golden boy finished at 1:54:06 seconds in the 200 IM and made the Olympic record for his fourth gold medal. It was at the 2008 Beijing Games when Phelps won eight golds and made history (he has also done the same in the 2004 Athens Olympics). Nevertheless, it was a historical moment in the French capital but after winning the three golds before, Marchand was “relaxed than usual” and soaking in the fans’s love, like he already knew that the gold was imminent. 

Phelps could be the reason behind the Golden Boy’s casual than usual demeanor, because, after his first win, the Flying Fish had sent across an advice. Phelps had asked Marchand to “let go a little bit, just have fun.” And he did just that! Although the 22-year-old didn't win eight golds like Phelps did in 2008, four gold medals were still an iconic feat!

Dive Deeper: Snubbed By Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps’ Golden Words To Leon Marchand Rewrote Olympic History

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

1. NBC Commentator Stands for Caeleb Dressel as America Expresses Rage Over Paris Olympics Loss: “Deal With His Emotions” - Full Story

2. "I Was in Shock": Suni Lee Admits to Coach Curing 'Self-Doubt' Before Paris Olympics Win - Full Story

3. “Protect Our Daughters”: NFL Star Takes a Stand in Imane Khelif’s Boxing Controversy at Paris Olympics - Full Story

4. EssentiallySports Paris Olympics Predictions for Track & Field: Sha’Carri Richardson’s Rivals, Noah Lyles Redemption & More - Full Story

Paris Olympics Live: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Swimming, Athletics and More Team USA Updates

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