Why Simone Manuel's Olympic gold medal in swimming matters

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Why Simone Manuel's Olympic gold medal in swimming matters

12 August 2016 US & Canada

Records, as the sporting cliche goes, are there to be broken, but while Simone Manuel's Olympic record time in the women's 100m freestyle final will eventually be surpassed, she achieved a first that no-one can take away.

Touching home at the end of a remarkable race, Manuel became the first black female swimmer to win an Olympic gold. She said she hoped her victory would encourage greater diversity in her sport.

"This medal is not just for me, it's for some of the African-Americans who have been before me and been inspirations," she said.

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African-Americans have been shut out of swimming pools for generations

Swimming pools have been a racially sensitive flashpoint in the US for generations. African-American people were often denied access to pools in the segregation era, and even after its abolition white people found other ways to exclude them. Nor has building pools for black areas been a priority.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37057236


[font size=1]Despite her historic achievement, Manuel stressed she did not want to be known as "Simone, the black swimmer"[/font]

[heaven05]

1. very impressed

with her skill(s) and awareness. May she reign supreme in upcoming Olympics in this sport as are others(Simeon Biles) in other sports.

[LynneSin]

2. Between her and Simone Biles I expect a huge increase in newborn girls named Simone

Both are amazing inspirations and great role models for all young girls!

[DinahMoeHum]

3. Two Simones. . .Two Gold Medals. . .One Awesome Night

[Ellen Forradalom]

7. LOVE IT.

[Stellar]

8. WOW...how about that!

[GeoWilliam750]

9. Great photo

[pansypoo53219]

4. i hate NBC's coverage. enough phelps medal ceremony. show THEIRS. we KNOW what the spangled banner.

give us OTHER. jingoistic shitheads. i am fed up w/ swimming & volleyball. show me OTHER.

[heaven05]

10. +++1000

I was just the other day thinking the same thing....I wondered if a black swimmer who had to go through rehab ect: ect: for abuse of different types(domestic and other)would not be in prison and not in the Olympics, Vollybally. Sick of it.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

5. WTF!

African-Americans have been shut out of swimming pools for generations

Swimming pools have been a racially sensitive flashpoint in the US for generations. African-American people were often denied access to pools in the segregation era, and even after its abolition white people found other ways to exclude them. Nor has building pools for black areas been a priority.

My son learned to swim when he was 5 years old. He would even leap from the diving board at 5. He’s in his 40’s now btw.

Have I been living in a different world than the rest of you? Let’s please start judging people by their character and not by the color of their skin. We are all part of the human race.

[heaven05]

11. I wish members

of the New Nazi Party of America(repubs) would realize your last line sentiment.

[LisaM]

6. True, true, true.

I hope it has an effect.