Women We Love: Simone Manuel

Simone Manuel swam a historic race at the Rio Olympics.  Not only did she shatter the Olympic record, She gave the United States its first Gold Medal in the 100M Freestyle event since 1984, AND she knocked off the current World Record Holder.

Simone Manuel also made history at the Rio Olympics by becoming the first Black woman to EVER medal in an individual swimming event. This is important because it was not long ago that Black people were not allowed to swim in public pools in some places in this country.

I will be honest and admit that as she gave her post race interview, I was crying.  I cried because I knew how much she had to endure as a trailblazer in her sport and I saw how overcome she was with emotion at what had just been accomplished.  During her post race interview the IMPACT of the moment was palpable as Manuel began to dedicate her win to those who came before her and those who will come after her.

The FIRST anything is ALWAYS inspiring because a barrier has been shattered and another limiting belief is knocked off of the table.  I know of several young Black women who are hardcore swimmers and their mothers said that they are just over the moon seeing that YES THEY CAN.

It means a lot

[to be the first black woman to earn gold in the pool],””This medal is not just for me. It’s for a whole bunch of people that came before me and have been an inspiration to me. And it’s for all the people after me, who believe they can’t do it.”

Against All Odds

Now leading up to the race, the commentators were talking about the Campbell Sisters from Australia and how they could potentially become the first sisters to share the podium.  As the race got underway, nobody was talking about Simone Manuel because she lost most of the race but as they swam toward home, the announcers started screaming that Simone Manuel was in the lead!  They were SHOCKED when it turned out that she had tied for FIRST PLACE!  They weren’t the only ones who were shocked!  The moment Simone Manuel saw that she had placed first, she looked visibly shocked.

The Campbell sisters finished fourth and sixth.

Commentator Rowdy Gaines said he had seen everything with what Simone Manuel had just pulled off.  He said he just could not believe what he just saw.  He went on to say that he knew what the Gold Medal would mean for her personally but he was so excited for the sport of swimming because they needed this.  He said he was one happy camper.

When you look at it, Simone Manuel lost most of the race.  She was behind most of the race but when it counted and it was time to finish…she FINISHED STRONG.

Mindset Matters Most

The Native Texan and Stanford student has a strong mindset which no doubt was the FOUNDATION of her historic victory:  Here’s what she told USA Swimming:

“You have to work hard and be pretty smart to get into a school like this — but honestly, that’s another reason why I picked it, because I wanted to be in this atmosphere and challenge myself,” she told  “It challenges me academically and athletically, and socially I get to be around such different people, though we also have something in common by being here,”

“I always had an issue with not seeing ‘people that looked like me’ in the sport, “My parents and my coaches were always encouraging and kept me going.”

Using her platform to inspire others

She learned to swim at age 4 and then by age 9 she was fully immersed in the sport but it wasn’t always easy for her and so she did what purpose driven people do.  She got involved in trying to encourage more diversity in swimming.  Simone Manuel is a part of the USA Swimming Diversity and Inclusion. committee.

Saying Goodbye to Limiting Labels

This is a very complex issue and I think it’s important for people to understand that when you’re the FIRST anything it comes with certain visibility.  By breaking down this barrier, the label of Black swimmer takes on less significance as time goes on.

“The title of black swimmer suggests that I am not supposed to win golds or break records, but that’s not true because I train hard and want to win just like everyone else.

The results speak for themselves.  Perhaps 20 years from now nobody will be talking about Black Swimmers just like they don’t talk about Black NFL players because it’s just not an issue anymore.  They’re just swimmers who want to win.

We love Simone and all that she has accomplished!! More to come!

Rio Results