Simone Manuel reportedly told media that as the days grew closer to her event she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. Evidently that “weight” only pushed her closer to history.
The 20-year-old Olympian out of Stanford took gold in Rio Thursday night, becoming the first African-American woman to win an individual gold medal in any Olympic swimming event. She did it by tying a new Olympic record (52.70 seconds) in the women’s 100 meter freestyle.
These amazing pictures tell the story.
In a dead heat, Manuel ties Canada’s Penny Oleksiak for gold.
Manuel’s reaction to the results are priceless.
Seconds later, as Oleksiak embraces her, she still can’t believe it.
Manuel, still emotional, exits the pool.
The podium.
Gold medallists USA’s Simone Manuel (L) and Canada’s Penny Oleksiak (C) pose with bronze medallist Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom on the podium of the Women’s 100m Freestyle Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016.
Tears of joy during the National Anthem.
Congrats, Simone! You’ve made America proud!
But even more so, your family!
You can view the race here at NBC Sports.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
Photos: Getty
