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This Florida man brought home Team USA's first gold medal of the Paris Olympics

Caeleb Dressel, born in Green Cove Springs, brought the win home in the final leg of the 4x100-meter relay Saturday afternoon.
Credit: AP
Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning a heat of the men's 100-meter butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — A Florida native had his name etched in Olympic history once again Saturday afternoon.

Caeleb Dressel, born in Green Cove Springs near Jacksonville, brought the win home in the final leg of the 4x100-meter relay Saturday afternoon, the Associated Press reported.

Dressel pulled ahead with a massive lead in the anchor leg to secure the gold, followed by Australia with silver and Italy with bronze, AP said.

This win marks eight career medals for Dressel, all of them gold, according to AP.

It's safe to say Dressel was active in his youth, as he played soccer and football and ran track while growing up in a family of six in the Sunshine State, according to his official website. He began swimming at age 5, taking his talents all the way to Florida State University, where he reportedly holds several records.

Dressel's medal stats are as follows, according to his official website:

  • 2016 Olympics- 2 Gold Medals 
  • 2017 World Championship - 7 Gold Medals 
  • 2019 World Championships -  6 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals 
  • 2020 Olympics - 5 Gold Medals

On top of these accolades, Dressel also holds world records in the 100 LCM Fly, the 50 SCM Free, the 100 SCM IM, and the 100 SCM Fly.

Dressel currently resides in Micanopy, Florida with his wife, Meghan, and black Labrador retriever, Jane, according to his official website.

When does Caeleb Dressel compete again?

Dressel is set to compete again in the men's 50-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly. 

  • Men's 50m freestyle: Thursday, August 1 (prelims), Friday, August 2 (finals)
  • Men's 100m butterfly: Friday, August 2 (prelims), Saturday, August 3 (finals)

To learn more about this Florida native, click here.

To learn more about Floridians competing in the Paris Olympics, click here.

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