At 6’3” and with an almost gladiatorial physique, Dressel is a freestyle and butterfly specialist who holds world records in both strokes. He’ll swim three races in Paris: the 50-meter freestyle, the 100-meter butterfly, and the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay. The pressure is high, but in the lead-up to the Olympics, Dressel seemed to be focused on soaking up the Games’ gravitas instead of thinking about specific results—almost as if looking at (and feeling) everything anew, even though he is now an elder statesman on the American team.
“With the start of it, in Rio, I was just honestly having a good time. I want to try to do that again [in France]. I could’ve done a better job of it in Tokyo,” he said.
He added: “My favorite part of these trips isn’t the competing—it’s the three weeks we’re at camp, getting to know each other. That’s where Team USA becomes Team USA.”
Of his physical preparation, Dressel said, “I do better under tough training. I like it—it helps give me confidence behind the block. I guess you can say that work works.” By his own design, and with the guidance and drive of Anthony Nesty (one of US Swimming’s 2024 coaches), Dressel’s ramp-up to Paris may well have been his most intense yet—but again, he’s intent on enjoying himself this week, and is trying to appreciate the perks along the way.
One such benefit: Dressel was tapped by Skims, Kim Kardashian’s shape-, under-, and leisurewear brand, to headline its Olympic-themed advertising campaign. (Skims is an official partner of the Games.) A promo went viral, as Kardashian-adjacent material often does, with Dressel appearing in nothing but boxer briefs—familiar territory to a swimmer.
“I remember in Tokyo, all the girls walking out in all of this really comfy-looking lounge wear, and we asked, ‘What is that?’ And the girls said, ‘Oh, it’s Kim’s brand.’ We were all super jealous,” said Dressel. (Skims launched menswear after the Tokyo Games.) “When my wife Meghan was pregnant, she had a couple of the bodysuits, which were lifesavers. I wear the briefs every day.”
Until now, Dressel had never been to Paris. “Oh, yeah—I am definitely going to the Eiffel Tower and taking a selfie,” he says. “I’ll be in my undies—just my Skims. I think that’ll make people happy.”