Simone Manuel - The Rebel

SWIMMING - OLYMPICS - TEAM USA

ARCHETYPE: THE REBEL

Day 52/135

Athletic Accomplishments

Simone Manuel made some waves as a six-time NCAA individual champion, and leading Stanford to two NCAA titles in 2017 & 2018. But this was after she had already gained international fanfare.

Manuel had her breakout moment at the 2016 Olympic Games, where she stepped on the podium and became the first African-American to win an Olympic gold in swimming. She went on to win four medals at the 2016 Olympics, including two gold in the 100m freestyle and 4x100m medley, and two silver in the 4x100m relay and 50m free.

The next year, Manuel had her biggest performance yet at the 2017 World Championships, where she won six medals, including 5 golds. And before you get disappointed about the lowly bronze medal, note that she STILL set the American record for her performance. In fact, she set world or American records in ALL SIX EVENTS:

• Gold medal: 100 m freestyle 52.27 (AR)

• Gold medal: 4×100 m freestyle 3:31.72 (AR)

• Gold medal: 4×100 m medley 3:51.55 (WR)

• Gold medal: 4×100 m mixed medley 3:38.56 (WR)

• Gold medal: 4×100 m mixed freestyle 3:19.60 (WR)

• Bronze medal: 50 m freestyle 23.97 (AR)

It’s an absolute joy to watch her swim. And this summer, she’s coming back for more. Better get ready.

Character Archetype: The Rebel

Simone Manuel is 5’10”, athletic, Black, and SO sick of people asking her if she plays basketball. In an interview with The Undefeated, Manuel said, “I was a tall black girl with muscles, an athletic build. ‘You must play basketball,’ people would say. Or ‘I bet you run track, right?’"

No, she’s a swimmer. And one of the fastest 50m and 100m freestylers to ever get in the pool, thank you very much.

Manuel, or “Swimone” as some like to call her, holds three world records in swimming sprint events. She’s a four-time Olympic medalist, who only competed in the 2016 Summer Games. This summer, she’s looking to continue her hot streak in Tokyo.

Manuel is known for her Michael Jordan-esque competitive side, which has propelled her to swim her best times during her biggest meets and races, like the 2017 World Championships, where she won 6 medals, including 5 golds, and set world or American records in every single race. Those kinds of performances are what earned her another killer nickname: “Fearless.”