Simone Manuel dives in to start the 2016 Olympic 100 meter freestyle final
HISTORIC CHAMPION Simone Manuel had work to do The 20 year old swimmer was competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil But midway through the 100 meter freestyle final Manuel had fallen back to the middle of the pack It was now or never for her to make a move
Then it happened Manuel surged as the other racers tired and slowed With each stroke she pulled closer and closer to the lead Then with a final burst Manuel reached out and touched the wall She looked up to the scoreboard She had finished with the same time as Canada's Penny Oleksiak It was a tie for the gold medal And not only that Manuel became the first African American woman to win gold in an Olympic swimming event After the race Manuel said she was thinking about African American swimmers who came before her I hope that I can be an inspiration for others she said Manuel bottom races toward the finish in the 100 meter freestyle
Penny Oleksiak right and Manuel celebrate their shared victory FAST FACT Manuel and Penny Oleksiak set an Olympic record with their 100 meter freestyle time of 52 70 seconds
