FRISCO, Texas — All eyes are on Gabriel Castano headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The 26-year-old broke his own 2021 Mexican national record twice in the last three days during the last prelims session of the 2024 Pro Swim Series in San Antonio. He currently leads the men's 50 free prelims with a 21.67, a narrow one one-hundredth over American Ryan Held (21.68).
Castano's previous record time of 22.01 has stood since June 2021 from the Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions, according to Swim Swam recording data.
Castano trains seven days a week at the Texas Ford Aquatics Center in Frisco, Texas.
His dream is to win a medal for his home country of Mexico for the first time since 1968.
Felipe Munoz won Mexico's first ever and only medal in swimming to this day in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
"If you told me I would be doing this six years ago I wouldn't believe you," said Castano. "I grew up in Monterrey and moved to the States when I was 12."
Gabriel's swimming career began in Pennsylvania. He joined the swim team in high school. The Allentown Central Catholic graduate broke records at Penn State and competed in the men's 50-meter free style at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
"I didn't perform the way I would've liked in Tokyo," said Castano. "This time around I'm stronger and my family will be there to cheer me on. It's not a cheap trip. It's a humbling experience to also honor my family name."
He will once again be competing in the 50-meter freestyle.
"It's just an all-out give it everything you got for 21 seconds with no breathing. The top eight guys are separated by a couple of seconds," Castano said.
He's been training with Matt King, who represents Team USA internationally. He is an SEC and ACC Champion. He is also a 7x NCAA all-American.
"Matt is a great training partner and friend," said Castano. "He has been pushing me to the limit building my endurance."
There's a huge sign inside the Texas Ford Aquatics Center adorned with the Olympic Rings wishing Gabe and Matt Good Luck in Paris.
"This is the hardest sport, but I love it."