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Triad Native Baker, Women’s Relay Win Gold For US

When I first read this, I figured it must have been a awful mistake: Some inept intern’s greasy fingers slipped before s/he could finish writing “Simone Manuel Makes History As First African American To Win Individual Swimming Gold”, because that is what she did.

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Pernille Blume, of Denmark, took gold in the event and Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia nabbed the bronze.

Another accolade to add to Blume’s swim is that it was Denmark’s first ever medal in the women’s 50 freestyle, and their 11th female swimming medal ever. Manuel, who attends Stanford University, previously earned a silver in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

Manuel, who is a rising junior on The Farm, set an Olympic and American record to tie for the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at Rio Games.

The American formidable foursome, who each won a medal in their respective individual events, clocked in with a time of 3 minutes, 53.13 seconds to give the United States its 1,000th gold medal awarded at the Summer Games. But Manuel has struggled with embracing her role as, as she said, a “black swimmer”, and shoving it aside. “And I just want to be inspiration to others that you can do it”.

After coming into the session on the cusp of going two straight Olympics with zero swimming medals, the Danes now have a shot at two as they’re in contention for a silver or bronze in the women’s medley relay.

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Jaeger will share the podium with two Italians.

Manuel becomes first African American woman to win swim gold