Adam Pretty
"This medal is not just for me it's for a whole bunch of people who came before me," said Simone
Simone Manuel just made history as the first African-American women to win an individual Olympic medal in swimming.
The Stanford University student tied with Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak in the women’s 100m freestyle final at the 2016 Olympics. She is also the first American to win the 100m freestyle since the 1984 Olympics.
Overall, Manuel has been having an exceptional time at the Olympics. Earlier this week she took the silver medal in the women’s 400-meter freestyle relay as she led her American teammates to a win with her 53.36-second lead-off leg.
Asked about her historic win, the Texas native said “This medal is not just for me it’s for a whole bunch of people who came before me and have been inspiration to me.”
23 Black Women to Watch in the 2016 Rio Olympics
“It’s for [swimmer] Cullen [Jones] and for all the people after me who believe they can’t do it. I just want to be an inspiration to others to show that you can do it.”
This is awesome. Simone Manuel. #USA pic.twitter.com/Jy6DRv3rmn
— Sports on Earth (@SportsonEarth) August 12, 2016
In response,Twitter was LIT, of course.
Know her name! @Simone_Manuel went to #Rio2016 to sprinkle Black Girl pixie dust on the place. DEW IT!!!
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) August 12, 2016
Simone Biles, Simone Manuel….I think I have to name my first daughter Simone for the culture. #Rio2016
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 12, 2016
Simone Manuel is my first Olympic cry.
— Sam Adams (@SamuelAAdams) August 12, 2016
Congrats to you, Simone!
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