During the eight months Caeleb Dressel spent not swimming, he was surprised by the things he came to miss.
Some were simple, like blowing bubbles in the water or the feel of his toes on the grip tape of the starting blocks.
But he also missed the chlorine — a swimmer’s nemesis — and the dry skin that comes with hours spent in the pool.
But last June, he abruptly withdrew from the world championships because of an undisclosed health issue and disappeared from the sport and the spotlight.
His best finish in four events was third place in the 50-meter butterfly, not good enough to qualify for the upcoming world championships.
Persons:
Caeleb Dressel, —, ” Dressel, Dressel, hadn’t
Organizations:
U.S, Tokyo Olympics