U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel's "overnight popularity" after becoming the first African-American female to win an individual Gold Medal has public health experts and swimming advocates "hopeful that she may have the star power to close the gap and inspire more minority children to learn to swim," according to a front-page piece by Gretchen Reynolds of the N.Y. TIMES. A number of swimming programs "are working to increase African-American participation," and USA Swimming "sponsors a program called Make a Splash that partners with local swim teams and cities to promote swimming among minorities by offering free or low-cost lessons and pool time." Chicago South Swim Club President Joel Johnson said that the success of Manuel, U.S. women's water polo G Ashleigh Johnson and other minority Olympian swimmers "reminds young African-American swimmers of what is possible" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/16). In DC, Deron Snyder notes Manuel is positioned to "help increase the number of black swimmers," which is "way more important than how many reach world-class status." USA Swimming estimates that 70% of African-American children "don’t know how to swim," while the CDC claims African-American children "are five-and-a-half times likelier to drown than white kids" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/16). In Philadelphia, John Smallwood writes Manuel's accomplishment "is significant if it inspires more black kids to at least learn to swim" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/16). Manuel today said, "I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, but I do realize that it is a huge deal for swimming. ... Hopefully I’m an inspiration for others to get into the water” (“GMA,” ABC, 8/16).
BIGGER THAN HERSELF: U.S. swimmer Maya DiRado, Manuel's teammate both at Rio and in college at Stanford, said Manuel "carries a huge burden, but she carries it so well." DiRado: "She has changed the lives of so many little boys and girls." In Houston, David Barron noted Manuel "appreciates the 'Black Girl Magic' hashtag that recognizes young women of color." However, she also "hopes to move on to a place where talent is an equal topic of discussion." Allison Beene, Manuel's former swim coach, said, "She definitely wants to reach out to help young girls who have dreams. If she can continue to swim for Simone and not to be pulled in different directions and can balance that, she will continue to have fun with the sport." NBC 's Rowdy Gaines said Manuel's win "will be transformational." Gaines: "It will change our sport forever" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/14). Manuel said she has “struggled a little bit” being a minority in swimming, but with the “position that I’m in, I’m hoping that I’m inspiring others to go after their dreams” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 8/16).
