Simone Manuel

Simone Manuel is an American competitive swimmer. She was born in Sugar Land, Texas, in 1996. At the 2016 Olympics, she became the first African American woman to win an individual gold medal in swimming. She has won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

Early Life

Manuel started swimming when she was four years old. She was often the only Black swimmer at her meets. She became one of the best swimmers in the country by high school. She swam for Stanford University, where she won multiple NCAA championships.

Olympic Glory

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Manuel won gold in the 100-meter freestyle. She tied an Olympic record in the race. She also won a silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle and two relay medals. She hopes to inspire more Black children to take up swimming.

Fun Facts

• Simone Manuel tied an Olympic record when she won gold in the 100-meter freestyle.
• She won four medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• She has spoken about the lack of diversity in swimming and works to change it.

Did You Know?

Simone Manuel has said that drowning rates are higher among Black children partly because of a history of segregated swimming pools. She works to get more kids of color into the water.