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Caeleb Dressel Ties His Own American Record with 21.04 50 Free

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

MEN’S 50 FREE FINAL

  • World Record: Cesar Cielo (BRA) – 20.91 (2009)
  • American Record: Caeleb Dressel – 21.04 (2019)
  • US Open Record: Cesar Cielo (BRA) – 21.14 (2009)
  • World Junior Record: Michael Andrew (USA) – 21.75 (2017)
  • 2016 Olympic Champion: Anthony Ervin (USA) – 21.40
  • 2016 US Olympic Trials Champion: Nathan Adrian – 21.51
  • Wave I Cut: 23.19
  • Wave II Cut: 22.71
  • FINA ‘A’ Cut: 22.01
  1. Caeleb Dressel (GSC), 21.04 =AR
  2. Michael Andrew (RPC), 21.48
  3. Nathan Adrian (CAL), 21.73

Caeleb Dressel saved his best race of the meet for last, winning the men’s 50 free tonight, and matching his own American Record with a 21.04. The win gives Dressel his 3rd individual event for Tokyo, and puts him in line for a 7-event schedule in Tokyo when relays are included.

In addition to tying his own American Record, which of course, is also Dressel’s personal best, the swim marks a tie with the 4th-fastest performance of all-time, and a tie for the fastest textile 50 ever as well.

All-Time Top 5 50 Free Performances

Rank Time Swimmer Date
1 20.91 Cesar Cielo 12/18/2009
2 20.94 Fred Bousquet 4/26/2009
3 21.02 Cesar Cielo 12/18/2009
T-4 21.04 Caeleb Dressel 7/27/2019
T-4 21.04 Caeleb Dressel 6/20/2021

Dressel now holds 3 of the 10 fastest performances in history, as his 21.15 from the 2017 World Champs now stands 9th all-time.

The race was Dressel’s 10th of the meet. He started with prelims of the 200 free, after which he scratched out of semifinals. He then had 3 rounds of the 100 free, 3 rounds of the 100 fly, and 3 rounds of the 50 free.

His time also stands as the fastest in the world this year.

2020-2021 LCM Men 50 Free

2Vlad
Morozov
RUS21.4104/09
3Ben
Proud
GBR21.4204/17
4Michael
Andrew
USA21.4806/20
5Florent
Manaudou
FRA21.5307/31
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HJones
3 years ago

I don’t understand how this dude’s start is so good. The 0.4 he beat MA by was all in those first 15 meters, and MA is no slouch on the start either.

DLSwim
Reply to  HJones
3 years ago

He has a 41 inch vertical jump which is comparable to the best NBA players so his speed when he leaves the blocks is greater than anyone else’s. His technique is also fantastic, but a lot of the other guys at that level also have great technique.

DLswim
Reply to  DLSwim
3 years ago

*blocks his speed

Kurt
3 years ago

Precision start and underwaters make him so special.

PVK
3 years ago

20.87 in Tokyo.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  PVK
3 years ago

i can see that happening

Pvdh
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
3 years ago

If he is that fast in the 50, he really should be 21.7 to the feet in the 100. Could be crazy.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Pvdh
3 years ago

He could truly challenge those 2 WR’s if he is in top shape ….many of us wish that . Its gonna be crazy anyway ….for the Third time in a raw ( 17,19,2021 )

Joel
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
3 years ago

Ummm Chalmers won in 2018 … and 2016 of course

The unoriginal Tim
Reply to  Joel
3 years ago

No worlds in 2018

billy
3 years ago

Is he going draw strings in in Tokyo?

Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

Who is the fastest over the water swimmer?

Dressel_42.8
Reply to  Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

Ervin

chinnychenchen
Reply to  Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

Ever? A lot of people would say Ervin, and I think so too. Out of swimmers who are still active, I’d say Bruno Fratus.

Last edited 3 years ago by chinnychenchen
Blackflag82
Reply to  chinnychenchen
3 years ago

I’ve often wondered how Popov would compare to Ervin. I’m not good enough at math, but Popov had the old start and no underwater to speak of and was 21.6…seems like some swimswam stat person should be able to use old footage and calculate meters per second after breakout of Popov, Ervin, and others.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Blackflag82
3 years ago

Yeah… I feel like Popov would be sub 21 today

Israel
Reply to  Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

There’s also Ari-Pekka. One dolphin kick break-out 21.6. Not bad at all…

Pop off
Reply to  Israel
3 years ago

Maybe not Popov but it’s close. I think it he’d trained for the 50 instead of the 100 it would be him

Pvdh
Reply to  Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

Ervin still

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Pvdh
3 years ago

Jeah

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Mustangswimdad
3 years ago

There’s a practice video out there with Ervin racing MA. MA destroys Ervin off the start and underwaters but Ervin almost catches him on the water. He’s a natural talent. If Ervin took the sport more seriously, he would have 5 gold medals in the 50.

The unoriginal Tim
Reply to  Philip Johnson
3 years ago

Lol

Penguin
3 years ago

Man started his taper on Day 1 of trials

Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

I’m curious. Were these times, in 2009, yeah, these times:

  1. 20.91 Cesar Cielo12/18/2009 2. 20.94 Fred Bousquet4/26/2009 3. 21.02 Cesar Cielo12/18/2009

Were these times all done with the highly buoyant high-tech suits that have since been banned?

Thanks in advance for knowledgeable answers…

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

Yes pretty much all records from 2008-2009 were done in full body illegal material suits that were banned starting in 2010.

JimSwim22
Reply to  Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

Maybe even in layered super suits!

dresselgoat
Reply to  JimSwim22
3 years ago

Maybe even wearing multiple super suits!

Pre edit: I know of some swimmers doubling up on the jakes and arenas if that was taken as sarcasm.

Last edited 3 years ago by dresselgoat
Marklewis
Reply to  Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

Yes those times were swum in the banned suits.

If you search YouTube you can see Cielo swim the 20.9.

Old Retired Guy
Reply to  Marklewis
3 years ago

Thanks…

3 years ago

His start to breakout was out of this world. A man among boys. Wasn’t even funny. In soccer, I would say his start was Champions League, and the others, Brazilian Series D Champs.

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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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