Team USA’s swimmers on the men’s side didn’t meet Michael Phelps’ standards, and he was not shy about telling the world how he felt on Monday.
“For me as a whole, I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results,” Phelps told USA Today.
Phelps, 39, expressed some of his worries ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“One of the things that I’ve always said over the last couple of years is the rest of the world is catching up,” he said.
He noted that much preparation will be needed if Team USA is seeking an encore from his heydays, per E! News.
“I think a lot of the things that we’ve done as a country for so long, the other people are catching up. They’re doing the same thing. Hopefully, we’re able to make that transition leading into 2028.”
It was a rough Games for Caeleb Dressel, who after winning five gold medals in Tokyo — including three individual golds — finished sixth in the 50-meter freestyle final and didn’t even make the final in the 100-meter butterfly after winning those events three years ago.
“It’s tough, a little heartbreaking,” said Dressel, who did win two golds in Paris in the 4×100 freestyle and mixed medley relays, along with a silver in the 4×100 medley.
Ryan Murphy also shockingly missed the finals of the 200-meter backstroke.
Although Phelps might’ve come across as harsh, he still gave credit where it was due, particularly to Bobby Finke, who was a part of “a few standout swims.”
“He was prepared,” Phelps said.
Finke won gold in the 1500-meter freestyle, and his time of 14:30.67 also set a new world record.
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“Hopefully the other athletes are more prepared going into ’28,” Phelps added.
Team USA said au revoir to the Paris Games, taking home 28 total swimming medals – eight gold, 13 silver and seven bronze – while setting three world records.
American sensation Katie Ledecky added four gold medals to the total, while fellow superstar Torri Huske added three of her own. The Americans notched 10 more swimming medals than any other country.
“I think the meet was great,” women’s head coach Todd DeSorbo said, per USA Swimming.
“There was a lot of talk about a slow pool, but there were a lot of Olympic records set by all countries, including the U.S. I think it is great to come out on top, the gold medal standings and overall medal standings.”
Moreover, DeSorbo noted that the team is “young,” and men’s head coach Anthony Nesty added that as coaches they “always want to be better.”
Phelps is another individual looking for Team USA to build on their performance at the Paris Games.
He hopes that another legend will emerge in the years that follow.
“Records are made to be broken,” Phelps said, who previously set 39 swimming world records.
“You know the records that I was chasing throughout my career motivated me. So hopefully I can motivate somebody to do the same thing.”
