Why Simone Manuel's Post Interview Comments Are Everything
Start writing a post
Sports

Why Simone Manuel's Post Interview Comments Are Everything

This is what it looks like when you win gold and raise awareness.

41
Why Simone Manuel's Post Interview Comments Are Everything
AFP/Getty Images

Last Thursday, 20-year-old Simone Manuel became the first African American woman to win gold in an individual event for swimming at the Olympics in Rio. She earned her medal for the 100-meter freestyle after finishing the race with a time of 52:70. She tied for gold with 16-year-old Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak. Initially, an Australian swimmer (Cate Campbell) was favored to win, but Simone focused on what she wanted to accomplish amidst all the talk. After winning gold, Simone made it clear that this victory was not just for herself.


When asked about her win Simone told reporters, “It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality,” Manuel commented. “This win hopefully brings hope and change to some of the issues that are going on. My color just comes with the territory.”

The Olympics are the greatest stage for athletes. With so many people watching the events and interviews worldwide, for Simone to mention a problem like police brutality is huge. She has demonstrated perfectly at the Olympics how you can love your country and bring it glory while still bringing awareness to ongoing issues.

Simone is not the first athlete to call out race problems while at the Olympics. In 1936 at the Berlin games Jesse Owens won four gold medals for track and field but was still forced to enter through a back door at a celebration for his victories once he got back on United States soil. Also the great Muhammed Ali reportedly threw his 1960 light heavyweight boxing gold medal from the Rome Olympics in the Ohio River after he was refused service at a diner in his hometown (Louisville, Kentucky).

Then of course, there is the famous image of John Carlos and Tommie Smith with their fists raised in a Black Power salute on the Olympic podium after winning in Mexico City for track and field. This did not come without consequences; their gold and bronze medals were immediately revoked.

In an interview Carlos told Vox, "As soon as we raised our hands, it's like somebody hit a switch; the mood in the stadium went straight to venom. Within days, Tommie and I were suspended from the US Olympic team and had to leave Mexico City early."

While it is evident that race discussions at the Olympics is nothing new is nothing new, Simone admits that she struggles with balancing her racial identity while just trying to be a great swimmer regardless of the fact that she is black. "It is something I’ve definitely struggled with a lot," she said. "Coming into the race I tried to take weight of the black community off my shoulders. It’s something I carry with me. I want to be an inspiration, but I would like there to be a day when it is not ‘Simone the black swimmer.’"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

7541
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

939862
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

116420
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments