USA Today reports that the Olympian acknowledged that her win was important in the context of current events.
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“This medal is not just for me, it’s for some of the African-Americans that have come before me and have been inspirations to me”, Manuel said. I hope that I’m an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming.
Her win comes right after first time Olympic gymnast Simone Biles won gold for the American women’s gymnast team, which pretty much dominated the competition since the start.
Canadian Penny Oleksiak and Simone Manuel of the United States were inseparable at the finish and even more united in joy, after a stunning 100 metres freestyle dead heat rewarded both with Olympic gold on Thursday.
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Manuel said her first gold, at her first Olympics, was just as surprising and there was an added bonus in setting an American record. And she used her gold-medal-winning moment to acknowledge the police brutality and race issues that persist in the US.
“It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality”. Just to see it pay off when I really needed it is something I’m really grateful for. “Just surpassing that goal and getting an American record on top of a gold medal is super exciting for me”.
Asked about her historic victory soon afterward, an emotional Manuel’s first words focused on her faith.
There was just one last thing Manuel and Oleksiak had to work out: how (and when) to take the winner’s podium at the medal ceremony.
“All I can say is all glory to God”, Manuel said through tears in a post-race interview.
The gold medal placed around her neck on Thursday could help to lift it. Speaking after the race Simone said that she hoped her win would “bring hope”.
Manuel’s remarks reminded me of Misty Copeland’s.
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Manuel commented on police brutality, calling her win significant given the political climate in the US, where it is every other day that the public hears about police killing civilians.”It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality”, Manuel told reporters, according to USA Today.
