U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel on Thursday "spoke of her desire to change attitudes" after becoming the first African-American female to win an individual Gold Medal in the sport, while also addressing some of the current social issues in the U.S. "head-on," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Manuel, who tied for the Gold with Canada's Penny Oleksiak in the 100-meter freestyle, said, "This medal is not just for me, it's for some of the African-Americans that have come before me and have been inspirations and mentors to me." She added the victory "means a lot, especially what's going on in the world today with some of the issues with police brutality." Manuel: "This win kind of helps bring hope and change to some of the issues that are going on" (REUTERS, 8/12). In Houston, David Barron reports by "confronting and defying stereotypes," Manuel "hopes to pave the way for others." She said, "I definitely think it raises some awareness, and it will get them inspired. The gold medal wasn't just for me but for people before me who inspired me to stay in this sport and for people who believed that they can't do it. I hope I'm an inspiration" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/12). USA TODAY's Martin Rogers notes when Manuel and teammate Lia Neal were both selected for Rio, it was the "first time two black female athletes were chosen to be on the American swim team at the same time" (USA TODAY, 8/12).
PRETTY PENNY WAS HER NAME: The NATIONAL POST's Rob Longley notes Oleksiak, who has won four total medals so far in Rio, is Canada's "breakout young star of these Games, regardless of the sport, regardless of sex." Thursday's Gold Medal made Oleksiak Canada's "most accomplished Summer Olympics athlete, the first to win four medals in one Games." She is the first Canadian swimmer to win Gold since '92 (NATIONAL POST, 8/12). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly notes Oleksiak's accomplishments "must now be stood up beside the greatest individual performances in Canadian Olympic history" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/12). In Toronto, Bruce Arthur notes Oleksiak "is the first athlete born in the 2000s to win a gold medal, in any Olympic sport." Arthur: "Let us add it up: Penny Oleksiak should carry Canada’s flag at the closing ceremony" (TORONTO STAR, 8/12).
POOL SHARK: In L.A., Nathan Fenno writes under the header, "Swimming Has A New Face And It's Katie Ledecky." She is the "world’s most dominant swimmer" and has won "four medals -- three gold -- during the first six days of competition." Ledecky stands to add to that total, as her "best event, the 800-meter freestyle," is Friday. A fourth Gold Medal would make Ledecky the "first woman to sweep the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle races" since '68 (L.A. TIMES, 8/12).
