Simone Manuel has just become the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming, after her successful victory in the 100-meter freestyle at the Rios games.
Manuel also overturned the previous world record held by Cate Campbell and tied with Penny Oleksiak of Canada at the games on Thursday, August 11, 2016.
“I hope that I can be an inspiration to others so this medal is for the people who come behind me and get into the sport and hopefully find love and drive to get to this point,” said Manuel to the press about her win.
“I’m super glad that I can be an inspiration to others and hopefully diversify the sport,” said the champion. “But at the same time, I would like there to be a day where there are more of us and it’s not like ‘Simone, the black swimmer,’ because the title ‘black swimmer’ makes it seem like I’m not supposed to be able to win a gold medal.”
Manuel, a Texan, is currently a student at Stanford University.
She also has not stopped with just her win. She is using her voice to say Black Lives Matter.
Photocredit: Reuters
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