On Thursday she became the first African American woman to medal in an individual swimming event.
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But that’s not her style.
‘This medal is not just for me, it’s for a whole bunch of people who have come before me and have been an inspiration to me, ‘ Manuel said. It was a tight finish, just as one would expect in the 50 free, and it was Dane who would go on to make history in the event, giving Denmark their first Olympic gold in swimming since 1948.
Amid a almost packed venue that was already buzzing in anticipation of what is expected to be Michael Phelps’ final night of Olympic competition, Manuel – who won the 100 free on Thursday – was just a fingernail away in her follow-up event. Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus took bronze with a time of 24.11.
The 22-year-old Blume, the fastest qualifier for the final, made a flying start off the blocks and held on grimly in the final few metres to win the single-lap sprint in a time of 24.07 seconds.
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Manuel has already won silver in Rio as part of Team USA in the Women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. She’ll swim the freestyle in the anchor leg.
