After winning five golds in swimming at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the athlete and Omega ambassador talks training schedules, dealing with competition pressures, and his post-Olympic aspirations with L'OFFICIEL.

With seven total <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/sydney-mclaughlin-olympics-hurdler-world-record-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Olympic</a> gold medals under his belt, the first thing that comes to mind about Caeleb Dressel is his Herculean athletic abilites. The champion <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/2020-tokyo-olympics-recap-team-usa-best-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swimmer</a> won five golds at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making him one of five Americans to do so alongside Michael Phelps. He is the first swimmer to ever win golds in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly at the same Olympics, and he recently broke his own world record in the latter event. It goes without saying that the 24-year-old is at the top of his game.
In reality, the Florida native's true superpower lies in his humility. Dressel not only went viral for his champion swimming accomplishments, but for his genuine love for his family. In one of the most touching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXy_ooYJx6o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moments</a> at this year's Olympics, Dressel was moved to tears watching his loved ones react to his gold medal win. In a world where male emotions are often diminished, Dressel is a reminder that men can be at once successful and sentimental.&nbsp;
As for many competitors at the Olympics, time is a determining factor for Dressel's success. With <a href="https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Omega</a> as the official timekeeper of the Games for the 29th year, the Swiss luxury brand makes a natural partner athletes like Dressel or <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/sydney-mclaughlin-olympics-track-athlete-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">L'OFFICIEL's July 2021 digital coverstar</a> and track gold medalist <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/sydney-mclaughlin-olympics-hurdler-world-record-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney McLaughlin.</a> For the swimmer, races can <a href="https://www.livescience.com/21997-phelps-lochte-races-timing-technology.html">come down to the hundredth of a second</a>, so literally every moment counts.&nbsp;
As the Omega ambassador takes his place amongst the greats, he looks forward to more humble joys such as spending more time with his wife. Here, Dressel shares details of his Olympic journey and his appreciation for his Team USA and real-life family with L'OFFICIEL.&nbsp;

L'OFFICIEL: Congratulations on your wins! What's your favorite memory from this year's Olympics?
Caeleb Dressel: Thank you! The actual competition was really intense, so I spent the whole time just concentrating on my performances. But honestly, my favorite memory was probably joining up with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/2020-tokyo-olympics-recap-team-usa-best-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Team USA</a>. Our time together before the Olympic Games, and the support we all had for each other during the event, really bonded us. I have many happy memories from being part of that group.
 L'O: What was your training schedule like leading up to the Olympics?
CD: It&rsquo;s really a 24-hour job. Even when you&rsquo;re not training, you&rsquo;re still thinking about swimming. As an American swimmer, I definitely take inspiration from another Omega ambassador, Michael Phelps, who achieved so much in the pool. His relentless dedication set the standard in our sport.

@caelebdressel

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 L'O: Do you have any pre-race rituals?
 CD: I wouldn&rsquo;t say I have any rituals, but I really go into my own zone. I don&rsquo;t call, text, or talk to people too much during meets. I&rsquo;m just focusing on the events ahead. It&rsquo;s as much mental as it is physical.
 L'O: Competing at such a high level can be incredibly stressful. How do you handle the pressure of competing?&nbsp;
 CD: In terms of the pressure, I simply take it one race at a time. In Tokyo, I had a journal with every race mapped out, and I just checked them off one by one. I can&rsquo;t do anything about what other people expect of me. I can only do what I expect of myself. Pressure is fine in that respect. When it turns into stress, that&rsquo;s when it&rsquo;s a problem.
 </div>
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</div>

L'O: What support systems do you rely on?
CD: My family is my biggest support system. You probably saw after my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxkPEFKoe80&amp;ab_channel=NBCSports">100m freestyle win</a> at the Olympic Games how emotional I got when I saw their reaction on the screen. Those moments remind you what it&rsquo;s all about.

L'O:&nbsp;Tell us about your partnership with Omega.
CD: Omega approached me with a partnership opportunity and I was really intrigued. I didn&rsquo;t know much about watches before that, but when I looked into the brand and saw their history, their quality and their products, I was really blown away. I like that they have a timepiece for everyone&rsquo;s personality, and I found my own perfect one in Hawaii. The fact they have such a hugely historic place at the Olympic Games really impressed me too. Considering our shared values, the partnership felt like a really natural fit.

L'O: What other projects, personal or professional, are you looking to take on in the future?
CD: The first thing I&rsquo;ll be doing is not thinking about swimming. My wife and I are looking forward at spending time together and hopefully enjoying a postponed <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/best-celebrity-honeymoon-destinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">honeymoon</a>. But it won&rsquo;t be long before I&rsquo;m back in the pool competing again. Instead of big goals, I&rsquo;ll just be taking it one race at a time&mdash;like I always do.

Photo: Omega

Olympic Swimming Champion Caeleb Dressel Is Taking Things One Race at a Time

Olympic Swimming Champion Caeleb Dressel Is Taking Things One Race at a Time

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