While American Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold in swimming, it was 16-year-old swimming prodigy Penny Oleksiak who burnished her reputation as one of Canada’s premier athletes.
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“It means a lot, especially with what’s going on in the world today, just with some of the issues with police brutality”, Manuel said. “This win helps bring hope and change to some of the issues that are going on in the world”.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll just go on lockdown at my house”. Everyone knows Simone Biles always ends her competition having a slice of pepperoni pizza so I shot that she hours of myself taking a bite of the pizza because I was that confident. In addition to helping the American team dominate the competition en route to their second gold in as many years, she also won the all-around individual gold.
It was also the first time since 1992 that both the men’s and women’s all around champions were members of the gold medal team at the same Olympics.
When the history books look back on the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio, there are three words that will sum it up: “The Final Five”. Recognition of Manuel’s black identity is important, considering the history of systemic racial discrimination in swimming.
RIO DE JANEIRO-As an African-American swimmer, Simone Manuel has carried a weight on her shoulders every time she steps onto the starting blocks. Say whaaat?! Speaking of 2004, I still remember most everything about my Olympics and that incredible night.
“She is right on the top”, Karolyi, who along with her husband Bela steered Romanian Nadia Comaneci to the first flawless 10 at the 1976 Olympics, told reporters. “So I just do everyday life”.
To achieve that status, Comaneci felt that 19-year-old would need to win more golds, or even sustain her levels of excellence for another four-year cycle to emulate the feats of Russia’s Larisa Latynina (1956-60) and Czech Vera Caslavska (1964-68) and win back-to-back Olympic all around titles. “It’s for some of the African-Americans that came before me and have been inspirations and mentors to me”. It’s insane to think the US has won the all-around since the 2004 Olympics! But she is an incredibly talented and strong athlete, period. “Most people don’t go in thinking they can beat Usain Bolt either, it’s kind of the same thing”.
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“This has been a rough Olympics for Gabby image-wise, and her sullen behavior about her teammate’s victory just adds to it”, the outlet continued.
