Dressel shines with five gold in six events

TOKYO: Caeleb Dressel of the United States made himself the most successful swimmer in Tokyo, with five gold from the six events he featured in as the swimming competitions concluded here on Sunday.

In the first race in the morning, Dressel won his fourth gold at the Olympics, triumphing in the men's 50m freestyle.

The reigning world champion set an Olympic record time of 21.07 seconds, and finished 0.48 seconds before Florent Manaudou of France. Bruno Fratus of Brazil took a bronze in 21.57 seconds.

The 24-year-old Dressel had three gold in hand prior to Sunday's final — from 100m freestyle, butterfly and 4x100m freestyle relay.

An hour later, Dressel helped the United States break its own world record to win the last swimming gold in Tokyo from the men's 4x100m medley relay.

"I'm proud of myself, I think I reached what my potential was here at these Games. It was just really fun racing. I'll give myself a pat on the back and then I'll just put it away and move forward. I'm going to take a break here," said Dressel.

Finishing in three minutes and 26.78 seconds, the American swimmers sliced 0.5 seconds off their previous mark of 3:27.28 set in 2009. Britain won the silver in 3:27.51, while Italy bagged the bronze with the time of 3:29.17.

Team USA has not missed a single gold in the event in every Olympics they attended since 1960, and this is their 15th Olympic title. IANS

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