Olympics: 'I cry a lot' - US swim star and 'loner' Dressel on how he manages emotions

Caeleb Dressel also said he is shunning social media and keeping contact with family back home to a minimum. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Newly crowned Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel describes himself as a loner and a "bit of a weirdo" as he blocks out distractions in his quest for a gold-medal haul in Tokyo.

The American set an Olympic record of 47.02 seconds on Thursday (July 29) to win by a fingertip in the men's 100 metres freestyle, denying Rio champion Australian Kyle Chalmers a second successive title in a thrilling contest in swimming's marquee event.

It was Dressel's first individual Olympic gold and his second in Japan after Monday's 4x100m freestyle relay win with the US team. The 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly and relay golds are also still within his grasp.

"I don't really talk to many people at these meets, I'm kind of a loner, a little bit of a weirdo," said Dressel, 24.

He is also shunning social media and keeping contact with family back home to a minimum.

"You have to manage your emotions," he said, moments after a tearful medal ceremony.

"I cry a lot. And so I can't be calling them (family) every night, you know, exerting that energy, but it's got to be put into my swimming.

"I'm not on Instagram, I know I'm not posting anything... it's energy that I don't need to be exerting.

"That's just how I work and operate so I'm not bashing anyone. That's just my routine."

The Olympic gold was Dressel's fourth overall, including his two relay wins in Rio in 2016, and came amid expectations on him to double that at this Games.

"I'm pretty good at putting a face on," he said.

"I know my name is out there and I understand that but I couldn't care less about it. But it's just something that comes with the sport, when you're on top of the podium.

"I'm fine with it and it's up to me whether or not I turn it into stress."

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