Caeleb Dressel Not Afraid to Show Vulnerability; Federica Pellegrini Elected to IOC Athletes’ Commission; Tokyo Olympics Analysis; The Story of Jordan Windle; U.S. Coaches Reflect on Mixed Medley Relay Flop

Tokyo Olympics Analysis (U.S. Women): Lots of Medals, Youth and Potential for Future Brilliance

It’s true — the American women won just three gold medals in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics, their fewest at any major international meet in recent memory. Katie Ledecky brought home the inaugural Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1500 freestyle, and she earned her historic third straight gold in the 800 freestyle. 17-year-old Alaska-native Lydia Jacoby shocked the world by winning the 100 breaststroke. But the Americans were shut out of gold medals in the relays and in the remaining individual events.

Orphan, Advocate, Inspiration, Olympian: The Story of Jordan Windle

If you haven’t heard of Windle yet, you will. He is the first diver of Cambodian descent from any country to qualify for the Olympics. And during the extended social reckoning and the rise of AAPI-targeted hate crimes in the U.S., representation by the Cambodian orphan turned all-American athlete is significant to a lot of people.

‘We’re Learning Through This:’ U.S. Coaches Reflect on Mixed Medley Relay Flop

There was a lot on the minds of Team USA coaches Greg Meehan and Dave Durden when they collected their staff to weigh options for the mixed medley relay.

The beauty of the new addition to the Olympic relay gauntlet lies in its machinations. It’s not straightforward like the men’s and women’s medleys – more or less, your “B” 100-stroke swimmers in prelims and “A” swimmers in finals. Instead, with two men and two women, it’s about maximizing gains and limiting losses.