Off the field of play, the CBC apologized Thursday morning after one of its Olympic commentators said on the air that a Chinese swimmer “died like a pig” during her race the night before. Cullen Jones was the best known, having won two golds and two silvers at the last two Olympics. Instead, Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom won a bronze medal after finishing 0.29 behind the winners.
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Manuel became the first African-American female swimmer to take gold in an individual event when she surged home in the final half of the second lap to finish in a time of 52:70.
“I think it means a lot, especially what’s going on in the world today with some of the issues with police brutality”, she added.
There have only been two other gold-medal ties in Olympic history. But she enjoyed it so much, she immersed herself fully by age 9. I hope that I’m an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming.
“I just wanted to re-focus and move forward from the 100”, she said.
“I work just as hard as anyone else and I love this sport and I want to win just like everyone else”.
U.S.A.’s Simone Manuel tied with a Canadian swimmer in the 100m freestyle.
Manuel was not intimidated.
Tonight’s win eclipses the five other Canadians who’ve medaled three times in a single summer games.
She credits her two older brothers – who were in the stands in Rio watching her win gold – for instilling in her a fearless, competitive drive.
Manuel shouldn’t have to “share” her moment with him and be reduced to simply a race.
Her reaction to finding out she won was so sweet, it was near unbearable. There was her totally stunned father, her wildly dancing mother, her gyrating sister and her giant of a brother who lost it completely and became totally overwhelmed.
As one of two African-American female swimmers on the USA women’s team, Manuel said that she hopes her victory can be an inspiration to women and girls everywhere.
It’s not the only record to fall.
And she teared up during the National Anthem.
Penny Oleksiak of Canada shared the gold.
At the 2000 Sydney Games, another 21.98 second dead-heat saw Anthony Ervin of the United States and team mate Gary Hall Jr each awarded the 50m freestyle gold. “I never thought I’d win a gold”, Oleksiak said. “I didn’t count how many”.
“Lia and I have this very special relationship, and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without her”, said Manuel.
“I found it very insulting”. She witnessed the reactions of her family members in the grandstand as we played back the race that led to her latest medal.
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It’s so good to know that a magic Penny who comes from Canada can still be the currency of the Olympic Games. She has contributed to TeamUSA.org since its inception in 2008.
