Caeleb Dressel failed to qualify for the biggest swim meet of the year. Simone Manuel didn't even try. Adam Peaty is taking an extended break to deal with mental health issues.
Kristof Milak decided he was in no shape — mentally or physically — to compete this summer. Some of the world's greatest swimmers are missing the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, as they deal with burnout and the enormous toll the sport takes on their bodies and minds.
Dressel, who won five gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, walked away in the middle of last summer's worlds in Budapest, Hungary.
The 26-year-old Floridian was overwhelmed by the pressure and stress, forcing him to take an extended break. "The easiest way to put it is my body kept score.
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