2020 Tokyo Olympics swimming live updates: Caeleb Dressel wins fifth gold medal as Team USA shines in the pool

Bobby Finke collected gold in the 1,500-meters and the U.S. women's 4x100 medley relay picked up a silver

After an exciting week full of highlights for the United States, Saturday marked the last day of swimming at the Tokyo Olympics. And on the event's way out, Team USA made quite a splash to put an exclamation mark on their aquatic endeavors.

Saturday's Olympic swimming finals included the 50-meter freestyle for both men and women, the men's 1,500-meter freestyle, and men and women's 4x100-meter medley relays. Standing with the most to gain among the Americans was Caeleb Dressel, who had the opportunity to earn a total of five gold medals for himself through the men's 50-meter freestyle and 4x100 medley relay.

Dressel got things started off right for the U.S., setting a new Olympic record in the 50-meter freestyle to win the gold medal. Dressel's .48 margin of victory over France's Florent Manaudou was the largest in the event's history.

The women's 4x100 medley relay would also see Team USA earn a medal, but it wasn't quite the one Abbey Weitzel was seeking. Weitzel narrowly lost to Australia's Kate Campbell, who was able to claim one of two victories by Australian athletes. Australia also won the women's 50-meter freestyle, with Emma McKeon also taking gold in that event.

In a thrilling finish to the men's 1,500 meter freestyle, Bobby Finke made a remarkable charge in the final length to go from third to first, passing both Germany's Florian Wellbrock and Ukraine's Myhailo Romanchukto take the gold medal. American men would round things out with a victory in their 4x100 medley relay, preserving a perfect 15-of-15 record in the event with a team consisting of Dressel, Ryan Murphy, Michael Andrew, and Zach Apple.

Individually, the biggest accomplishment for a U.S. swimmer belonged to Dressel, who became the fifth American to ever win five gold medals in one Olympics over the last 50 years. Dressel joins Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, and Eric Heiden in that category.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:51 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

The United States sets a world record in the Men's 4x100 medley relay, winning gold and preserving their perfect record in the event's history.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:50 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Caeleb Dressel is able to take the lead back for Team USA. It's up to Zach Apple now.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:49 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Great Britain takes the lead from the United States at the halfway mark. Caeleb Dressel now in the water.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:40 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Men's 4x100 medley relay coming up. The United States is looking to go 15 for 15 in the Olympic history of this event.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:26 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

The Australian team's mark of 3:51.60 is a new Olympic record in the women's 4x100 medley relay.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:24 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Kate Campbell edges Abbey Weitzel by .0013 to win the women's 4x100 medley relay for Australia. The United States earns silver, with Canada earning bronze.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:23 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

The United States leads by two tenths at the 300m mark, but Australia has begun to inch ahead.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:22 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Lydia Jacoby takes the lead for the United States at halfway.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:21 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Canada, Australia, and the United States all come to the wall together after the first 100 meters. Canada currently leads.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:19 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Women's 4 x 100 medley relay is up next. Regan Smith, Lydia Jacoby, Torri Huske, and Abbey Weitzel in this race for the U.S.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:15 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Quick note on Caeleb Dressel's victory in the 50 meter freestyle.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:14 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Post-race interview by Bobby Finke:

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:10 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Bobby Finke is the first American man to win the 1500 meter freestyle since Mike O'Brien did so in 1984.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:03 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Bobby Finke goes into another gear in the final length, blasting past Florian Wellbrock and Myhailo Romanchuk to go from third to first and win the 1500 meter freestyle.
Finke is the first American athlete to earn a gold medal in this event in 37 years.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 10:01 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Five lengths to go and the Top 3 has not changed. Wellbrock, Romanchuk, and Finke are all running very close together.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:57 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

This is the Top 3 just past the halfway mark:
1. Florian Wellbrock 2. Mykhailo Romanchuk 3. Bobby Finke

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:55 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Germany's Florian Wellbrock has taken the lead in the 1500m.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:46 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Men's 1500 meter freestyle coming up next. Bobby Finke will be representing the United States in this event.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:44 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Joining Emma McKeon on the podium are Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom and Denmark's Pernille Blume.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:41 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Emma McKeon wins the women's 50 meter freestyle, earning her sixth medal of the Tokyo Olympics and setting a new record in the event.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:40 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Women's 50 meter freestyle is coming up next. Abbey Weitzel is the lone American in the field in Lane 6.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:37 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Caeleb Dressel's 50 meter freestyle time of 20.01 is a new Olympic record.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:37 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Joining Caeleb Dressel on the podium are France's Florent Manaudou (silver) and Brazil's Bruno Fratus (bronze).

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:35 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Caeleb Dressel wins the Men's 50 meter freestyle, setting a new Olympic record and earning his fourth gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics. Dressel led wire-to-wire.

[Jul 31, 2021 at 9:32 pm ET · Steven Taranto]

Men's 50 meter freestyle coming up shortly. All eyes will be on Caeleb Dressel as he tries to earn five gold medals tonight.
Dressel has earned the No. 1 qualifying spot, and will start in Lane 4.