For the first time in history, two black women rightfully earned the honor of joining the 2016 Olympic swim team.
Simone Manuel and Lia Neal, both from Stanford, are set to compete in the U.S. Olympic 4 x 100 freestyle team.
#history right here. 2 black girls on the US Olympic Swim team. #Olympians. First there was one, now there’s two! 💁🏽 pic.twitter.com/S6EFAkeovb
— Maritza McClendon (@ritzyswims04) July 2, 2016
Neal, 21, grew up in Brooklyn and is the daughter of a Chinese-American mother and a black father. She started swimming at age 6 and competed in the 2012 Olympic games, winning the bronze medal in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
I’m a two-time Olympian and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, coaches, and friends. I am thankful beyond words. 🙏🏾
— Lia M. Neal (@LiaNeal) July 4, 2016
Simone Manuel, 19, of Sugar Land, TX, went into the Olympic trials as a favorite to make the team. Just one day after turning 17, she became the first U.S. swimmer under 18 to break the 25-second mark in the 50 at the 2013 World Championship. Manuel took last season off from the Stanford swim team to prepare for the Olympics.
Her sacrifice paid off, big time. “I expected to do well but I was still surprised to see the Olympic Rings by your name when you finish,” Manuel said.
Thank you all for the support! 🇺🇸–>🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/nG8bqit4OV
— Simone Manuel (@simone_manuel) July 4, 2016
The fact that they’re already close friends makes this even better.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
A photo posted by lia m. neal (@lia_neal) on
A photo posted by Simone Manuel (@swimone13) on
The 2016 Olympics will serve all kinds of #BlackGirlMagic, and we just can’t wait. With Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles pretty much set to make the gymnastics team, this is going to be another memorable year for Black women in the Olympics.
Congratulations, ladies!
