Despite Not Clinching a Spot in 2020 Olympics, Jason Lezak’s Successor Could Be Competing for a Spot in the 2024 US Swim Team

The Paris Olympics are only a year away, and the swimmers have girded up to secure a ticket to the Olympics. The young athletes who participated in the World Aquatic Championship are now aiming to look forward to the qualifying trials. However, a swimmer with already five Olympic medals under his name might also be looking forward to aiming for the Olympics.

Nathan Adrian, best known for succeeding Jason Lezak in the 4x100m free events and medley relays for two Olympic events, might be potentially participating in the US swim team trials. The 34-year-old Adrian has not officially retired from swimming but does not participate in competitive events anymore after making a comeback in 2020. However, recently, the athlete talked in an interview about his next step.

Will Nathan Adrian participate in the Olympic trials?

Nathan Adrian might be making a comeback in the Olympics. Recently, in an interview with NBC Sports, the Olympian stated, “I would love to see you at the Olympic Trials or something, but it’s probably not going to be because I just qualified for the Olympics.” Further, the swimmer added, “It’s probably going to be because there’s some old guy that qualified for the Olympic trials.” The 34-year-old will have to compete in the US 50-meter freestyle swimming trials for the Olympics, held in Indianapolis. The qualifying time to touch the wall at the event is 22.79.

However, irrespective of whether the swimmer participates in the Olympics, the swimmer will most likely not be making an official comeback. In April, Nathan Adrian was seen participating in a masters meet, a meeting held for swimmers over 18. Adrian also won a 50-meter freestyle event at the master’s competition leading to his comeback rumors. But Adrian cleared the air quickly, as the swimmer revealed that he participated in the event because of his sponsorship with a smart goggle company, FINIS. Further, after not being able to secure his spot in the Tokyo Olympics, Adrian stated, “Every day I invest in it with mind, body, and soul, but I don’t have the bandwidth for that in my life anymore.”

Trials of the Tokyo Olympics

Just like every other swimmer’s journey, Nathan Adrian has faced his fair share of setbacks in sport. After fighting testicular cancer and securing gold in the 2019 Worlds, Nathan Adrian participated in the Olympic trial in 2020 to secure a seat in the Tokyo Olympics. Unfortunately, the athlete was surpassed by Caeleb Dressel and Michael Andrew for the first two positions on the podium at the 50m freestyle. While Adrian, who finished the event third with 21.73 seconds, missed his chance of participating in the event. Till now, the swimmer has been a part of three Olympic teams.

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And now, after enjoying the highs and lows of the sport, the athlete currently training budding swimmers and spending time with his family. And regardless of the swimmer’s decision to participate in the Olympics, the athlete most likely will not make a full comeback.

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