DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Two weeks after the Olympic Games in Paris, gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel is already making plans for Los Angeles.

Dressel, 28, said Saturday at Daytona International Speedway that he wants to end his competitive career in 2028 with a 50-meter freestyle race.

“I’m young. I feel good,” he said, also pointing out how his son has changed his mindset. “It’s tough right now because when you’re done with a championship meet, swimming is the last thing you want to think about. That’s why I’m running around Daytona and having a good time.”

“But it’s always been one of my dreams to compete on American soil in a championship meet. So, yeah, I’m eyeing 2028. I don’t think there will be a full competition schedule. I think maybe just the 50 freestyle, building up a little more muscle, not being in as good shape. So maybe I’m looking forward to just doing the splash-and-dash. That could be a good time for me.”

Dressel, who grew up in Green Cove Springs and graduated from the University of Florida, has won nine Olympic gold medals and one silver. He won the 50-meter freestyle in Tokyo in 2020 but finished sixth in Paris after a year off. He finished a disappointing 13th in the 100-meter butterfly. He brought home three relay medals.

He was in Daytona with his wife and 6-month-old son. Dressel served as an honorary official for the Cup Series race. It was his first trip to Daytona, although he has driven the track many times in a popular video game.

Since returning from France, he has spent time with his growing son – he lamented the fact that he was missing two teeth and had his first rollover – mowing his lawn, eating a “real burger” and chatting to his dog and the cows.

He also had plenty of time to reflect on his recent Olympic performance.

“Individually, these were not the results I was hoping for from the Games this year, but that’s how it goes sometimes in this sport,” he said. “Sometimes it’s not your week, but I’m delighted. It’s really nice to be back home. I hope I did my country proud and hope I did my job in the relays.”

And he is already looking forward to the sport’s next biggest event, which happens to be taking place in the United States for the first time since Atlanta in 1996, the year Dressel was born.

“I think that would be the coolest thing ever, to compete on American soil and see only American flags in the stands,” he said. “Paris was really special. … The amount of American flags and the support we got in Paris was incredible. I can’t imagine experiencing the same thing in the U.S. I think that would just be a great way to end my career.”