HEAD HELD HIGH
Despite not advancing in 50 free, Manuel proud of accomplishments
TOKYO — Simone Manuel’s 2021 Olympics quest, which began with such promise before spiraling through uncertainty, turmoil and adversity, ended Saturday morning, one step short of making the final for her only individual race of the Tokyo Games.
Manuel, 24, the 2016 gold medalist in the 100-meter freestyle and a relay bronze medalist in these Olympics, tied for sixth in her semifinal Saturday and did not qualify for Sunday’s final in the 50-meter free, in which she won a silver medal five years ago.
Her time of 24.63 seconds was tied for 11th among the 16 semifinalists and well off her personal best of 23.97 seconds.
Manuel missed several weeks of training this spring after being diagnosed with overtraining syndrome, which affects the body’s ability to train effectively, and did not make the U.S. team in the 100 freestyle. She was part of the United States team that won a bronze in the 4-by-100-meter free relay on the first night of swimming in Tokyo.
The Sugar Land resident who trains at Stanford University has said that she plans to continue swimming through the 2032 Los Angeles Games and said the disappointment of this year’s Olympic cycle, which began with five gold medals at the 2017 world championships, would not deter her.
“It’s hard to work so hard for something and not see the results pay off when you want it to,” she said. “I know that eventually it will, and I know that I’ve been through a lot this year and I’m disappointed, but I’m really proud of myself.”
Her voice broke as she said, “I finished what I started. Maybe it didn’t end the way I wanted it to, but I have so much to be proud of and have so many people that love me. So I’m really grateful to be here.”
Manuel in 2016 became the first Black female swimmer to win an individual gold medal for the United States and has been vocal on social media about her support of the social justice initiative that dominated much of public discussion during the pandemic year of 2020.
She also has structured deals with sponsors to encourage them to associate with people of color and has been active in efforts to encourage Black youngsters to learn to swim.
When the pandemic hit, she was forced to swim in private pools for a time and was unable to make frequent visits to her family in Sugar Land. Given those difficulties, she said, persevering through the trials to reach the Olympics as a victory of sorts.
“A victory is not giving up, and I did it,” she said. “I had the courage to go out here and try and possibly fail.”
Manuel said she will continue training after taking time off following the Olympics with an eye on the 2024 Paris Games and with gratitude for the impact she has had on her followers.
“I love the sport. I know that this (swim) that I had today wasn’t my best,” she said. “It was my best today, but it’s not representative of my potential. I know that my body and my mind need a break, but I still love the sport.
“I love the people I do it with. I love the people I’ve been able to inspire. I love it because it’s just something that’s so important to me. So, of course, I’m going to keep doing it. Of course I’m going to keep giving it my best. Whether I win another Olympic medal or not, I’ve accomplished so much in this sport that so many people can only dream of.”
Self-knowledge, she said, has been another gift of her swimming career.
“What I do know is that I’m a fighter,” she said.