Manuel wins in comeback
OMAHA, NEB.» When Simone Manuel whipped around to see the “1” beside her name, months of emotions came pouring out.
She closed her eyes, brought her hands together in prayer and struggled to hold back the tears.
Abbey Weitzeil, the woman she had just beaten, leaped over the lane rope with a huge smile — so happy for her friend that she didn’t mind settling for the runner-up spot Sunday.
Everyone in the stands leaped to their feet, saluting Manuel’s perseverance with an ovation that rocked the Omaha arena.
Days after revealing she was diagnosed with overtraining syndrome, Manuel provided the most stirring moment of the entire U.S. Olympic swimming trials on its final night by winning the chaotic 50meter freestyle.
It was all or nothing for Manuel, whose Olympic hopes came down to one hectic dash from one end of the pool to the other.
She got there first, locking up a trip to Tokyo and the chance to make more history — five years becoming the first Black woman to win a gold medal in an individual swimming event.
“More than anything, I’m relieved,” she said. “Today may have been the longest day of my life and the longest 50 of my life.”
While Manuel is heading back to the Olympics,
Nathan Adrian’s bid for a fourth appearance at the Summer Games came up just short when he finished third in the men’s 50 free.
Caeleb Dressel tied his American record with another dominating performance, touching about a half-body length ahead of Michael Andrew in 21.04 seconds.
Get ready, Tokyo. Dressel will have three individual races at the Olympics, not to mention at least three relays.
Plenty of chances to live up the hype as America’s next great men’s swimming star after the retirement of Michael Phelps.
“This is brutal, the pressure. I like it,” Dressel said. “I’m happy we executed well and in a month we get to go have some more fun.”
Andrew earned his third individual event at the Olympics by touching second in 21.48, while Adrian was next at 21.73.
Dressel hopped on the lane rope and splashed the water, while a gracious Adrian came over to congratulate the winner.
The 32-year-old Adrian beat testicular cancer and arrived at Omaha as a new father but failed to qualify.
That’s OK.
He was eager to see his 4-month-old daughter, Parker.
“My heart kind of explodes just thinking about it,” Adrian said. “I’m so excited go hang out with her and hold her. I’ve got a lot to look forward to when I get home.”