Hunter Armstrong helps Team USA win Olympic gold in 4x100 freestyle relay featuring Caeleb Dressel

PARIS — Hunter Armstrong of Dover is an Olympic gold medalist, helping star teammate Caeleb Dressel continue his golden run.

Dressel has made a habit of winning only gold medals at the Olympics and the American swimmer won his eighth on Saturday in Paris. Armstrong and Dressel were half of the American 4x100-meter freestyle relay, which beat Australia and Italy to win gold at La Defense Arena.

The U.S. turned in a time of 3:09.28, with Armstrong giving the Americans a commanding lead with a blistering third leg of the relay. Dressel swam the anchor leg and brought gold home — his fifth relay gold at the Olympics and third straight in the event.

For Armstrong, a Dover High School graduate, it's his second career gold medal, having earned one in Tokyo three years ago by swimming in the semifinals of the 4x1 medley relay.

Dressel was all smiles as the American flag was raised and the anthem played out, but the 27-year-old soon had tears streaming down his face when he embraced his family — including his five-month old son — moments later.

"It's really special, making the team in front of him and then winning a gold in front of him. Just checking little boxes that I never would have thought to create throughout my career," Dressel told reporters.

"You can't explain this moment until you're on the podium watching the flag go up. ... I remember how it was for me, my first gold. I mean I lost it, I made it off the podium but it's special seeing that and being a part of that with these guys.

"It's an extremely special moment and no one can take that away from them (his teammates). Relays are a little more special. It takes me right back to my first gold, it really doesn't get old."

While Dressel was unable to keep his emotions in check, his teammate Jack Alexy was far more stoic on the podium despite claiming his first Olympic gold medal.

"I was just truly honoured to be part of this relay and watching Caeleb finish that off for us and making Team USA proud and starting off with a gold," the 21-year-old said.

"I was able to find my family (later) and that was awesome. That's when I got really emotional. I saw them tearing up, they've been awesome the whole ride."

But it was Armstrong's scorching split of 46.75 that really helped the U.S. win the gold. It was first Olympic final and he delivered.

"I just went in! I will give my entire body and soul up for these boys," he said.

"And I knew I had to give Caeleb everything I had (for the final leg), so I'm glad I was able to get my job done."

Armstrong returns to the pool Sunday morning as one of the top contenders in the the 100-meter backstroke.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Hunter Armstrong helps Team USA win Olympic gold in 4x100 freestyle relay featuring Caeleb Dressel