Michael Phelps may be considered the greatest Olympian of all time by many, but Caeleb Dressel has earned comparisons to the swimming legend by his own success in the pool.
The pair competed for the United States together at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, when Phelps was at the very end of his glittering career and Dressel was right at the start of his.
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At just 19 years old, Dressel earned his first two Olympic gold medals alongside Phelps in the 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays.Â
Many wondered who would replace Phelps as the dominant force in swimming once he retired after Rio 2016, but Dressel showed that he was a capable heir apparent with an impressive five gold medals at Tokyo 2020
While Dressel has previously shut down comparisons with Phelps, it will be hard not to draw parallels between the pair if the 27-year-old enjoys even more Olympic success at Paris 2024 - which is LIVE on talkSPORT in July.
From Florida to swimming fame
Dressel grew up in Green Cove Springs in Florida, learning how to swim aged four. His father and three siblings were competitive swimmers too, setting records while at high school and college.
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The young star followed in their footsteps, competing for the Florida Gators during his college years and setting multiple NCAA records.
It was during his time at the University of Florida that Dressel competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, earning two gold medals.
But it was at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships where Dressel really made a name for himself by winning an astonishing seven gold medals – four in relay events, with the remaining three coming in his favoured 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.Â
More success came at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, where Dressel earned six gold medals and two silver medals. This surpassed Phelps’ highest tally of medals at a World Championships.
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Dressel also broke Phelps’s 100m butterfly world record, which had been held since August 1, 2009.
Dressel recorded an even faster 100m butterfly time at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as he clinched five gold medals - becoming only the fifth swimmer to earn that many gold medals at one Games, alongside Phelps, Mark Spitz, Eric Heiden and Matt Biondi.Â
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Shutting down Phelps comparisons
Despite the obvious comparisons to Phelps, Dressel has previously said he does not see himself in the same light as the Olympic icon.
"I don't think it's fair to Michael," Dressel told NBC during Tokyo 2020.
"He's a better swimmer than me. I'm completely fine with saying that. That's not my goal in the sport, to beat Michael. I'm a very different athlete than Michael. He was at a whole other level.
"I'm fine if people want to compare me to him. I have some goals that I would like to accomplish where I can consider myself to be great, and I don't have to compare myself to Michael to consider myself to be great."
There are some significant differences between the pair, with Phelps renowned for his versatility across different strokes and distances while Dressel prefers sprint events in freestyle and butterfly.
But Dressel can move even closer to Phelps’s 23 Olympic gold medals with success at Paris 2024.Â
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Break from swimming and Paris 2024 prep
Dressel’s build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has not been smooth sailing, however.
He abruptly withdrew from the 2022 World Aquatics Championships with an undisclosed health issue, despite already winning gold medals in the 4x100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.Â
He took nine months away from swimming before returning to the sport in May 2023. He has slowly built up his form since then and now intends to defend his Olympic titles in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly at Paris 2024.
In an interview with SwimSwam, Dressel suggested his break from swimming had been driven by struggles with his mental health.
“I knew I was in a spot where it wasn’t healthy,†Dressel said. “I got to that point where I was like if I don’t break a world record at whatever event, then my career is a waste.â€
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Dressel spent his time away from swimming on his honeymoon in Iceland, hiking and developing his farm in Gainesville, Florida, where he now lives and trains.
The star seems to have developed a healthy work-life balance while raising his young son, as well as chickens and cows on the farm.Â
“Living out here is… I feel normal,†Dressel said. “I think that’s what a majority of professional athletes, what we all crave… It’s just very peaceful out here.â€
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With Dressel now re-energised following his break from swimming, he could be better than ever at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The Olympics are on talkSPORT this summer, and you can tune in via our free online streaming service at talkSPORT.com