Simone Manuel Becomes First Black American Female Swimmer To Win Individual Gold Medal 

Simone Manuel swam a blistering final 50 in tonight’s 100m freestyle to earn a gold medal alongside Canadian Penny Oleksiak, who swam an identical Olympic-record 52.70 in the event. Both surpassed world record-holder Cate Campbell, who led the race after the first 50 meters and ended up missing the podium.

Manuel becomes the first African-American woman to win an individual swimming medal in U.S. history. We said it would be “tough sledding” for her to reach the podium. We were wrong!