L’essentiel et les points à retenir :
- Simone Manuel est une nageuse exceptionnelle avec un palmarès impressionnant, accumulant un total de 16 médailles aux Championnats du monde aquatiques, dont 11 en or, trois en argent et deux en bronze.
- À l’âge de 24 ans, Simone Manuel a surmonté des défis majeurs, notamment le syndrome de surentraînement, pour sécuriser sa place dans l’équipe américaine aux Jeux olympiques de Tokyo.
- Lors des Championnats du monde aquatiques de 2019, à Gwangju, en Corée du Sud, Manuel a marqué l’histoire en devenant la première nageuse américaine à remporter à la fois les épreuves du 50 mètres et du 100 mètres nage libre lors d’une seule compétition.
- Simone Manuel a une famille qui l’a soutenue tout au long de sa carrière, étant la fille de Marc et Sharron Manuel, avec deux frères aînés.
- Malgré les difficultés, Simone Manuel a réussi à s’imposer et à devenir une figure emblématique de la natation, laissant un héritage important en tant que nageuse afro-américaine de renom.
Simone Manuel’s Achievements
Simone Manuel has achieved remarkable success in her swimming career, with numerous medals and groundbreaking performances.
| Âge | 24 ans |
|---|---|
| Date de naissance | 2 août 1996 |
| Hauteur | 5’10 » (1,78 m) |
| Lieu de naissance | Houston, Texas |
| Famille | Fille de Marc et Sharron Manuel, avec deux frères aînés |
At the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Manuel celebrated her team’s victory in the mixed 4×100-meter medley relay. She has accumulated a total of 16 medals at the World Aquatic Championship games, including 11 gold, three silver, and two bronze medals, as detailed on the Team USA website.
Struggles and Triumphs
However, at the U.S. Olympic trials for Tokyo, 24-year-old Manuel faced challenges as she failed to qualify for her signature event, the 100-meter freestyle, due to overtraining syndrome. This syndrome manifests in symptoms such as muscle soreness, weight loss, and fatigue. Additionally, the mental toll of being Black during a period of racial unrest added to her struggles. Despite these obstacles, Manuel persevered and secured a spot on the U.S. team by finishing first in the 50-meter freestyle.
2019 World Championships Success
At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, Manuel made history by becoming the first female American swimmer to win both the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle events at a single FINA long course World Aquatics Championships meet. She clinched a total of seven medals, including four gold and three silver medals, marking a significant achievement in her career.
Record-Breaking Career
Simone Manuel has been setting swimming records since her college days. She graduated from Stanford University in 2018 with a degree in communications, where she established herself as a four-time national champion. Currently, she holds five Stanford swimming records in various categories, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
| Full Name: | Simone Manuel |
| Nickname(s): | Swimone |
| Born: | August 2nd, 1996 |
| Place of Birth: | Sugar Land, TX, USA |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
| Status: | Active |
Olympic Success
In 2016, Simone Manuel made history by becoming a two-time Olympic champion. She secured Olympic gold in the 100-meter freestyle and the 4×100 medley relay, along with Olympic silver in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100 freestyle relay, showcasing her prowess on the international stage.
Legacy and Continued Success
Simone Manuel’s journey in swimming has been marked by groundbreaking achievements and a trailblazing spirit. In 2016, she made history as the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming for the United States during the Rio games. Since then, she has continued to break records and excel in competitions worldwide, solidifying her status as a swimming icon.
Following her impressive performance at the 2021 Olympics, Manuel demonstrated her exceptional skills at a major LCM meet in Greensboro, where she excelled in multiple events. Her dedication to training and her remarkable talent have cemented her position as a prominent figure in the world of swimming.