After becoming the first African-American to win an individual olympic event, U.S. swimmer & now GOLD medalist Simone Manuel could’ve spent her post-win interview time talking about anything, but decided to say this:
“It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality,” Manuel said. “This win hopefully brings hope and change to some of the issues that are going on. My color just comes with the territory.”
Fresh off her record-setting, 100-meter freestyle victory, Manuel took it upon herself to speak for her community, and touched on the pressures of being one of the few Black swimmers in a sport that’s been largely exclusive to others:
“It is something I’ve definitely struggled with a lot,” Manuel said. “Coming into the race I tried to take weight of the black community off my shoulders. It’s something I carry with me. I want to be an inspiration, but I would like there to be a day when it is not ‘Simone the black swimmer.’
As these young minority athletes continue to do great things on such large stages, the WORLD will be forced to listen to what they have to say, and what they have to say is very important.
For video of Simone Manuel’s record-setting performance, flip the page: