Simone Manuel — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Won two gold and two silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, including individual gold in the 100-meter freestyle
Became the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in swimming
Serves as a Professional Swimmer at Self-employed since 2018
Six-time individual NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships champion
Holds three world records as a member of a relay team
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Stanford University

Biography

Simone Manuel is an American professional swimmer specializing in freestyle events. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she secured two gold and two silver medals, winning gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter medley. Her victory in the 100-meter freestyle, a tie with Canada's Penny Oleksiak, marked a historic moment as she became the first Black American woman to win an individual Olympic gold in swimming, setting both an Olympic and an American record.