18-year-old wins gold, American Nathan Adrian takes bronze in 100m freestyle
Adrian was the reigning champ in this event, having taken gold in London. Not this time
•
1 min read
The men's 100-meter freestyle is the race that determines the fastest swimmer on the planet. For the past four years, American Nathan Adrian had that title.
He lost it to an 18-year-old Australian on Wednesday night.
"It actually felt pretty good to be honest, not my fastest time of the season, but certainly think I can't be upset with that," Adrian said on television after the race.
Adrian took bronze, falling to Kyle Chalmers, whose 47.58-second gold medal-winning swim set a world record for anyone 18 years or younger in this event. Belgium's Pieter Timmers won silver (47.80) and in doing so became the first ever Olympic medal winner for his country in this event. Adrian got there in 47.85 seconds.
Fellow American Caeleb Dressel -- just 19 years old, and someone many thought would medal in this event -- came in sixth (48.02).
"I wanted it. We all wanted it," Adrian said. "That's what makes the Olympics special. There's eight guys in there that are going for gold. Kyle's a young guy. He doesn't have the opening speed that some of us do, but he certainly has the closing speed."
