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Nathan Adrian Wins Hearts on Twitter After Failing to Qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2021

Published 06/22/2021, 12:02 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The Tokyo Olympics begins next month and its energy is already channeling across the world. The United States has locked in its Olympic swimming contingency, and a lot of big names have qualified through the trials. However, veteran swimmer Nathan Adrian failed to do so, which disappointed a lot of fans. Adrian then took to social media and posted a gracious message to everyone who made the team. 

Everybody who follows swimming would be familiar with the name Nathan Adrian. He’s had such an impact on the sport in the last decade and formerly held the American record in the 50-meter freestyle event. 

Nathan Adrian posts gracious tweet after failing to qualify for Tokyo Olympics 2021

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It is not often you witness an all-time great failing to qualify for the Olympics. But such is the competitive nature of swimming in the United States. Every year, quality athletes pop up on the radar and make things more difficult for the veterans of the sport. 

Nathan Adrian faced such a fate at the US Olympic Trials this year. Adrian was aiming to secure a berth in what would’ve been his fourth trip to the Olympics but was out-qualified by athletes like Caeleb Dressel and Michael Andrew. 

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USA Today via Reuters

However, Nathan Adrian acted like a real champ following the disappointing news. He took to social media to express his gratitude to the fans and also wished Team USA Swimming the best of luck for their upcoming endeavor. 

Yes, having Nathan Adrian on the team would’ve pleased the fans. But the results plainly depict that the competition has increased in swimming. Adrian will be missing from the US Olympic team for the first time since 2004. 

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Adrian is a 5-time Olympic gold medallist 

Life certainly hasn’t been easy for Nathan Adrian in the past few years. But he successfully battled testicular cancer and is now ready to embrace fatherhood, which he entered in February 2021 after the birth of his daughter Parker Jacquelyn.

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“My heart kind of explodes just thinking about it. I’m so excited go hang out with her and hold her. I’ve got a lot to look forward to when I get home,” Adrian said after finishing third in the men’s 50 free final. 

Nathan Adrian won his only individual gold medal at the Olympics in 2012. He reigned supreme in the 100 free and then went on to win gold in the 400 medley relay as well. 

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It is indeed a huge chapter coming to an end for Nathan Adrian. While it might be early to assume, it doesn’t seem like he would come for another shot at the Olympic Games in 2024. 

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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