Caeleb Dressel got a look at just what he's up against in his bid to defend his Olympic 100m freestyle crown in Paris as rival Jack Alexy posted a blistering 47.08sec to lead the heats at the US Olympic swimming trials on Tuesday.
Dressel won five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics but stepped away from the sport in 2022, taking a nine-month break to address mental health concerns.
With his level still something of a mystery entering this week's trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, Dressel made it safely into the 100m free semifinals with the third-fastest time of 47.82sec.
But Alexy set the pool at Lucas Oil Stadium – home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts – on fire, posting the fastest time ever in US waters.
Jack Alexy was FLYING! 😮
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 18, 2024
He finishes the men's 100m free in 47.08 seconds for a new Long Course National and U.S Open record. #SwimTrials24 pic.twitter.com/Ukx7zXJ9Eo
He's the second-fastest performer of the season behind China's Pan Zhanle, who set the world record of 46.80sec at the world championships in Doha in February.
Alexy is now tied with Australian Kyle Chalmers as the eighth-fastest performer all-time.
Chris Guiliano, Paris-bound after finishing second to Luke Hobson in the 200m freestyle on Monday, was second-fastest in the 100m heats in 47.65.