Kyle Chalmers

Back in prime time: the Caeleb Dressel show

Back in prime time: the Caeleb Dressel show

GWANGJU, South Korea — The American Caeleb Dressel was out like a shot Thursday night and at the turn, the only turn in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, he was so far ahead it was breathtaking. 

It’s not supposed to happen like this. By definition, these were the eight best sprinters in the world. These, of course, are the world championships. And Dressel was making this race like it was him and then seven other guys. The only question was whether he was going to break the world record.

Not quite.

Dressel touched in 46.96 seconds, an American record and just five-hundredths behind Brazilian Cesar Cielho’s world mark, set 10 years ago.

A really good guy, back on the podium

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RIO de JANEIRO — If you had a son, you would want him to be just like Nathan Adrian.

The guy is smart, funny, respectful and humble. He is quiet, steady, a genuine leader.

After the men's 100 free: silver medalist Pieter Timmers, left, congratulates bronze medalist Nathan Adrian with winner Kyle Chalmers in the middle // Getty Images

Oh, he’s tall and handsome, too, the very picture of America’s best pluralistic and tolerant tendencies. His dad, James, is a retired nuclear engineer; his mom, Cecilia, who comes from Hong Kong, is a nurse.

Oh yeah — Nathan Adrian is an incredible athlete.

To read the rest of this column, please click through to NBCOlympics.com: http://bit.ly/2b9FSdv