With her victory in the 100-meter freestyle, she became the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming.
Advertisement
Manuel upset world-record holder Cate Campbell and tied with Penny Oleksiak of Canada Thursday at the Rio Games. I mean, the 100 free was pretty close.
In the one-lap race, Manuel was in third place at the halfway mark, and Oleksiak was in seventh. But Jones failed to make the USA team this year in what could have been his final attempt. “I hope I’m an inspiration for others to get out there and try swimming. But I look forward to the day when there are more black swimmers and I am not just as known for that reason”, she added.
The pair reached the finish with identical times of 52.70sec, with each earning a gold medal. “Simone’s win resonated with me as a black woman”.
“This is fantastic, to tie for a gold”.
Manuel was not intimidated. Chris Manuel is five years older than his sister, and Ryan, who graduated from Southern Methodist University last year, is three years older. Young Simone wanted to keep up with them. When she was 18 months old and her mother’s back was briefly turned, she scurried into the bathtub fully clothed to play with her brother.
“I think that this win kind of helps bring hope and change to some of the issues that are going on”. She hates to sweat, and who sweats in a pool?
Her time of 52.70 seconds was an American and Olympic record.
Manuel broke down in tears when she recognized her historic achievement in a sport that still has few African-Americans. She [Manuel] deserves it as much as me. She redshirted a year ago to prepare for Olympic Trials and the Rio Games.
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. Oleksiak anchored the 4×200-metre freestyle relay team to a bronze medal.
“When I see Michael, I know it’s not the same condition as me”, Ouedraogo said. “I didn’t count how many”. I never thought I would be in this position but I’m so blessed and honoured to be on the medal stand. Then I turned around and saw the 1 by my name, and I was super surprised.
Advertisement
As she treaded water after her final, Manuel pointed up at the screen above the pool and seemed to be trying to take in what had happened – an understandable response, given the frenzied race she’d just swam. It was for people that came before me and inspired me to stay in the sport. “I definitely worked hard these past four years, day in and day out”. “After the race, I gave her a big hug, and I cried, and I told her thank you for everything you’ve done for me”.
