Caeleb Dressel

“I always say a prayer before the blocks - it helps calm me down.”

“I think simple's good. That's why I enjoy swimming. It's very primitive, very simple.”

“I get to do the fun part which is racing. I get to enjoy the race... I don't need a piece of medal to remind me of that.”

“You don't want to show anything, any behavior giveaways that your competition might see, right?”

“During the race there's only so much you can do. Whatever's going to happen is going to happen.”

“I always look for the bad. There's plenty to improve on.”

“In the gym, you get out what you put in. There's no room for excuses, for taking shortcuts or giving half effort.”

“Just because it's bad doesn't mean it's not worth it.”

“My favorite part of the Olympics was the flag raising and seeing my family there.”

“I don't think I'm 'the guy' in the sport of swimming, but people want to label me as 'the guy.'”

“I was super insecure in middle school; I didn't tell anyone I swam because it wasn't the cool sport to be doing.”

“But just improving each day, that's just the ultimate goal from now until I'm no longer on this earth.”

“I'm trying to show that it doesn't matter where you are from, even a little town like Green Cove. You can make it.”

“You become Team U.S.A. when you're teaching some of the girls to play poker or you're getting food someplace in Hawaii together. It's the stupid little moments, it's not the big moments that are caught on cameras, it's the stuff you guys don't see. And that's what makes this team so unique.”

“Strength training is an important part of every athlete's training program, but for me it's become almost like a sanctuary.”

“I was nervous before races. Every race was not perfect... Every morning when I woke up the first words weren't always, 'Oh, I'm so excited.'”

“I like to learn.”

“I think greatness is found within mundanity, those boring little ticks throughout the day.”

“I have to manage my emotions.”

“It's not my goal to beat anybody in particular, it's about achieving what I think my potential is.”