Fast 100 freestyle final brings talk of world record for Caeleb Dressel, teammates

INDIANAPOLIS — Some of the fastest men in the U.S. Olympic trials pool put on a speedy show, but Chris Guiliano came out on top, winning the 100-meter freestyle final with a blistering fast time of 47.38. 

First-time Olympian Guiliano out-touched Jack Alexy and American record-holder Caeleb Dressel, who finished second and third, respectively. But highlighting just how close this race for the 2024 Paris Olympics was, they finished within .15 seconds of each other. And Guiliano and Alexy both split 22.51 at the 50-meter mark.

“We’ve been rehearsing the back half leading into this meet,” Guiliano told NBC Sports. “Just had to find a way and find an extra gear.”

This sprint didn’t disappoint after it followed the fireworks in the women’s 100 earlier to open the night at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Guiliano and Alexy — who will also make his Olympic debut — should compete in the individual 100 free at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Dressel and fourth-place finisher Hunter Armstrong are expected to be part of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

“Well I don’t think we should shy away from [the relay world record],” Dressel — a seven-time Olympic gold medalist who's headed to his third Games — told NBC Sports. “I think [the] world record is 47.3 average. We have a shot at it. That’s unbelievably fast.”

“I think we do want that world record, but most importantly we need more cowbell,” Armstrong added to laughs from the crowd. 

The predictably speedy race followed Tuesday’s semifinals when all eight swimmers qualified for the finals within .86 seconds of each other, nearly making it anyone’s win. 

And Guiliano, Alexy, Dressel and Armstrong will all face off again in the 50-meter freestyle later at trials. Guiliano previously qualified for Paris in the 200-meter freestyle, while Armstrong earned his spot in the 100-meter backstroke. Dressel also has a chance to qualify individually in the 100-meter butterfly. 

“It’s so awesome," Alexy told NBC Sports. "This experience is really surreal. Quite a bit [of a] relief as well, and I’m just happy to go to Paris with these guys."