Dressel claimed his second gold of the Games following his part in the United States’ 4x100m relay victory, but it was a close race as Australia’s Kyle Chalmers finished just 0.06secs adrift with Russian Kliment Kolesnikov in third.
Dressel could finish these Olympics as one of the most successful swimmers at an individual Games as he is in contention for a further four medals – two individual (100m butterfly and 50m) and two in relays (medley and mixed medley).
Only two swimmers in Olympic history have won more than six medals at a Games – Michael Phelps with eight in Beijing in 2008 and Mark Spitz with seven in Munich in 1972.
“There’s been a lot of pressure on me. There’s nothing wrong with pressure but there is with stress. I handled it well and I am happy,” Dressel told BBC Sport. Dressel’s United States team-mate Robert Finke won a surprise gold in the men’s 800m freestyle final. He came out of nowhere in the final 75 metres to pip world champion Gregorio Paltrinieri by 0.24secs, while Mykhailo Romanchuk took the bronze medal.
