Simone Manuel breaks the ultimate color barrier – the pool

Roxanne Jones
By Roxanne Jones
Updated 7:21 PM EDT, Fri August 12, 2016
Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first Olympics medal ever, in the first year the country has been represented at the Olympics. (Oh, and she won gold.)
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Kosovo: First Olympic medal —
Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's first Olympics medal ever, in the first year the country has been represented at the Olympics. (Oh, and she won gold.)
The Fijians were the favorites to win the brand-new men's rugby sevens event, and they did so in delightful form. Their win wasn't only Fiji's first Olympic gold, it was also the country's first medal(s!) ever.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Fiji: First Olympic medal —
The Fijians were the favorites to win the brand-new men's rugby sevens event, and they did so in delightful form. Their win wasn't only Fiji's first Olympic gold, it was also the country's first medal(s!) ever.
Vietnam's Hoang Xuan Vinh is bringing home his country's first gold after he won the men's 10-meter air pistol shooting event.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Vietnam: First gold —
Vietnam's Hoang Xuan Vinh is bringing home his country's first gold after he won the men's 10-meter air pistol shooting event.
Fehaid Aldeehani nabbed gold in the men's double trap, marking the first gold for any athlete competing under the Olympic flag. (Aldeehani is from Kuwait, whose Olympic committee was banned from this year's Games.)
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
Independent Olympic Athletes: First gold —
Fehaid Aldeehani nabbed gold in the men's double trap, marking the first gold for any athlete competing under the Olympic flag. (Aldeehani is from Kuwait, whose Olympic committee was banned from this year's Games.)
No matter where she appeared on the podium for the women's 100-meter freestyle, U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel would have made history. However, she blew it out of the water, so to speak, when she unexpectedly tied for the gold.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Adam Pretty/Getty Images
United States: First African-American woman to win an individual swimming medal —
No matter where she appeared on the podium for the women's 100-meter freestyle, U.S. swimmer Simone Manuel would have made history. However, she blew it out of the water, so to speak, when she unexpectedly tied for the gold.
So it's not technically a first, but golf returned to the Olympic stage this year for the first time since 1904 (112 years is long enough for it to count).
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Golf: Returning after a century —
So it's not technically a first, but golf returned to the Olympic stage this year for the first time since 1904 (112 years is long enough for it to count).
Olympic champion judoka Majlinda Kelmendi was the flag bearer for Kosovo for its inaugural walk in the Parade of Nations.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
Kosovo: First Olympic appearance —
Olympic champion judoka Majlinda Kelmendi was the flag bearer for Kosovo for its inaugural walk in the Parade of Nations.
Ten athletes are competing under the banner of this new team. The athletes hail from Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Refugee Olympic team: First Olympics —
Ten athletes are competing under the banner of this new team. The athletes hail from Syria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The new country made its Olympics debut with three athletes this year. South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
South Sudan: First Olympics —
The new country made its Olympics debut with three athletes this year. South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011.
Ibtihaj Muhammad competed in the women's individual sabre, earning her the title of first U.S. athlete to compete wearing a hijab, a religious head covering sometimes worn by Muslim women.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
United States: First hijabi athlete —
Ibtihaj Muhammad competed in the women's individual sabre, earning her the title of first U.S. athlete to compete wearing a hijab, a religious head covering sometimes worn by Muslim women.
If you noticed something missing from the podium this year, it's probably the large bouquets customarily given to medalists. This year, Olympic officials said the flowers don't represent a sustainable use of resources, and instead chose to hand out these nifty medal stands, which are 3-D versions of the Rio Olympics logo.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images
The swag: First Olympics without bouquets for the winners —
If you noticed something missing from the podium this year, it's probably the large bouquets customarily given to medalists. This year, Olympic officials said the flowers don't represent a sustainable use of resources, and instead chose to hand out these nifty medal stands, which are 3-D versions of the Rio Olympics logo.
With these Games taking place in South America for the first time, Africa remains the only populated continent never to have hosted the Olympics.
Photos: All of the Olympic firsts in Rio
PHOTO: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
The venue: First Olympics in South America —
With these Games taking place in South America for the first time, Africa remains the only populated continent never to have hosted the Olympics.

Story highlights

Roxanne Jones: Victorious black swimmer Simone Manuel knows the resonance of her position in an era of racial struggle

Jones: History of blacks being systematically denied use of public pools makes Manuel's Olympic win also a victory about race

Editor’s Note: Roxanne Jones, a founding editor of ESPN Magazine and former vice president at ESPN, has worked as a producer and as a reporter at the New York Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She was named a 2010 Woman of the Year by Women in Sports and Events, is a co-author of “Say It Loud: An Illustrated History of the Black Athlete,” and CEO of the Push Marketing Group. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

CNN —  

For black women in America, the past several years have been deeply painful. Not that it’s ever been a joy ride, exactly. We just thought this journey was getting a little smoother, that we could drop our guard a bit and just live.

But then here we are again – mothers, daughters and friends, every day, it seems, publicly grieving for lost loved ones, protesting angrily that our #BlackLivesMatter, witnessing our sisters being brutalized and sometimes killed by police, or by other angry men.

I confess that collectively some days our grief and frustration just seem too much to bear.

And then grace steps in. And we are inspired.

Simone Manuel’s Olympic gold win in the 100-meter freestyle – the first ever for an African-American woman in swimming – reminds us how resilient and strong we have always been, and how strong we must continue to be. Gliding through the water with unfettered determination and all the beauty inherited from generations past, Manuel reminded us that we have always been and always will be one of the most important ingredients in this jumbled American pie.

<strong>Phelps wins eight gold medals in Beijing: </strong>Swimmer Michael Phelps, right, became the first athlete to win eight gold medals in one Olympics when he helped the United States win the 4x100 medley in 2008. Here, he celebrates with Garrett Weber-Gale after a victory in the 4x100 freestyle. No one has won more Olympic medals than Phelps, who added to his collection in 2012 and 2016.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Phelps wins eight gold medals in Beijing: Swimmer Michael Phelps, right, became the first athlete to win eight gold medals in one Olympics when he helped the United States win the 4x100 medley in 2008. Here, he celebrates with Garrett Weber-Gale after a victory in the 4x100 freestyle. No one has won more Olympic medals than Phelps, who added to his collection in 2012 and 2016.
<strong>The world's fastest man -- ever:</strong> Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has owned the 100 meters since the 2008 Olympics, when he blew away the field with a world-record time of 9.69 seconds. Bolt lowered that record a year later to 9.58 -- a mark that still stands today.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images
The world's fastest man -- ever: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has owned the 100 meters since the 2008 Olympics, when he blew away the field with a world-record time of 9.69 seconds. Bolt lowered that record a year later to 9.58 -- a mark that still stands today.
<strong>A perfect 10:</strong> Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to score a perfect 10 in an event -- and she did it seven times at the 1976 Olympics. The Romanian, who collected three golds in Montreal, finished with three 10s on the balance beam and four on the uneven bars.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Don Morley/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
A perfect 10: Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to score a perfect 10 in an event -- and she did it seven times at the 1976 Olympics. The Romanian, who collected three golds in Montreal, finished with three 10s on the balance beam and four on the uneven bars.
<strong>An upset for the ages:</strong> Rulon Gardner, a Greco-Roman wrestler for the United States, made history in 2000 when he defeated Russia's Aleksandr Karelin in the gold-medal match of the 130-kilogram (287-pound) weight class. Karelin, the gold medalist in 1988, 1992 and 1996, had not lost a match in 13 years.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Billy Stickland/ALLSPORT/Getty Images
An upset for the ages: Rulon Gardner, a Greco-Roman wrestler for the United States, made history in 2000 when he defeated Russia's Aleksandr Karelin in the gold-medal match of the 130-kilogram (287-pound) weight class. Karelin, the gold medalist in 1988, 1992 and 1996, had not lost a match in 13 years.
<strong>The Fosbury Flop: </strong>American high jumper Dick Fosbury clears the bar on the way to winning gold at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City. His "back-first" jumping style revolutionized the sport and is now used by almost everyone who competes in the event.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
The Fosbury Flop: American high jumper Dick Fosbury clears the bar on the way to winning gold at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City. His "back-first" jumping style revolutionized the sport and is now used by almost everyone who competes in the event.
<strong>Spitz wins seven: </strong>Before Michael Phelps, there was Mark Spitz. Spitz, seen here on the shoulders of American teammates Tom Bruce and Mike Stamm, won seven swimming events at the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany. It was the most golds won at one Olympics until Phelps won eight in 2008.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Spitz wins seven: Before Michael Phelps, there was Mark Spitz. Spitz, seen here on the shoulders of American teammates Tom Bruce and Mike Stamm, won seven swimming events at the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany. It was the most golds won at one Olympics until Phelps won eight in 2008.
<strong>Flo-Jo's record runs:</strong> American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner dominated the 100 and 200 meters at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. She set a world record in the 200 (21.34 seconds) that still stands today. Her Olympic record in the 100 meters (10.62 seconds) was just off the world record she set a couple months earlier. That record (10.49 seconds) still stands today as well.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Getty Images
Flo-Jo's record runs: American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner dominated the 100 and 200 meters at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. She set a world record in the 200 (21.34 seconds) that still stands today. Her Olympic record in the 100 meters (10.62 seconds) was just off the world record she set a couple months earlier. That record (10.49 seconds) still stands today as well.
<strong>Strug digs deep: </strong>U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug injured her ankle on her second-to-last vault during the team competition at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. But with a gold medal in the balance, she still had to go once more and land on her feet. She did just that, clinching victory and making her an American hero.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: SUSAN RAGAN/AP
Strug digs deep: U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug injured her ankle on her second-to-last vault during the team competition at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. But with a gold medal in the balance, she still had to go once more and land on her feet. She did just that, clinching victory and making her an American hero.
<strong>Owens makes a statement:</strong> U.S. track star Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Games, which took place in Berlin during the rule of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Hitler wanted the Games to showcase what he believed to be the racial superiority of white Aryan athletes, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/04/sport/gallery/tbt-jesse-owens/index.html" target="_blank">but Owens spoiled that idea</a> and became a cultural icon.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Owens makes a statement: U.S. track star Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Games, which took place in Berlin during the rule of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Hitler wanted the Games to showcase what he believed to be the racial superiority of white Aryan athletes, but Owens spoiled that idea and became a cultural icon.
<strong>Gold shoes, gold medal:</strong> Michael Johnson and his flashy spikes set a new world record in the 200 meters, finishing in 19.32 seconds in 1996. The American also added gold in the 400 meters that year.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: DOUG MILLS/AP
Gold shoes, gold medal: Michael Johnson and his flashy spikes set a new world record in the 200 meters, finishing in 19.32 seconds in 1996. The American also added gold in the 400 meters that year.
<strong>The gold standard:</strong> Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina won six medals in the 1964 Summer Games, giving her a record 18 medals -- nine of them gold -- over three Olympics. Only Michael Phelps has won more Olympic medals.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
The gold standard: Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina won six medals in the 1964 Summer Games, giving her a record 18 medals -- nine of them gold -- over three Olympics. Only Michael Phelps has won more Olympic medals.
<strong>No shoes? No problem:</strong> Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila became the first black African to win Olympic gold when he won the marathon in world-record time in 1960. And he did it in his bare feet, just the way he had trained.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
No shoes? No problem: Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila became the first black African to win Olympic gold when he won the marathon in world-record time in 1960. And he did it in his bare feet, just the way he had trained.
<strong>"The Czech Locomotive":</strong> Emil Zapotek is the only person to win the 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters and the marathon all in the same Olympics (1952). But perhaps even more amazing was that until that point, he had never run a marathon in his life.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
"The Czech Locomotive": Emil Zapotek is the only person to win the 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters and the marathon all in the same Olympics (1952). But perhaps even more amazing was that until that point, he had never run a marathon in his life.
<strong>Now that's longevity:</strong> German kayaker Birgit Fischer, left, was 42 years old when she won gold at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. She became the second person to win gold medals in six different Olympics. Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich was the first.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Now that's longevity: German kayaker Birgit Fischer, left, was 42 years old when she won gold at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. She became the second person to win gold medals in six different Olympics. Hungarian fencer Aladar Gerevich was the first.
<strong>Beamon's phenomenal jump: </strong>American long jumper Bob Beamon obliterated the world record by more than 21 inches in 1968, leaping an astonishing 9 feet, 2 1/2 inches (8.90 meters). Beamon was so stunned by the distance that he collapsed to the ground in what doctors later diagnosed as a cataplectic seizure brought on by nervous excitement. The record stood until 1991.
Photos: Historic Olympic performances
PHOTO: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Beamon's phenomenal jump: American long jumper Bob Beamon obliterated the world record by more than 21 inches in 1968, leaping an astonishing 9 feet, 2 1/2 inches (8.90 meters). Beamon was so stunned by the distance that he collapsed to the ground in what doctors later diagnosed as a cataplectic seizure brought on by nervous excitement. The record stood until 1991.

A Stanford University student from Sugarland, Texas, Simone understands why she is so special. She embraces the responsibility that comes with being a successful, young black woman. And after her victory, Simone boldly stood before the world and talked about how today’s toxic racial climate affects her:

“It means a lot, especially with what is going on in the world today, some of the issues of police brutality,” Manuel said. “This win hopefully brings hope and change to some of the issues that are going on.”

Brava, Simone. This young woman has a calm courage and sense of self that so many Millennials are showing the world these days. It rejuvenates my optimism. And this is not the first time Manuel has spoken about her commitment to the fight for racial justice. She’s always been there.

US gymnast Simone Biles (C) and her teammates celebrate after winning the women's team final Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016. / AFP / Ben STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
US gymnast Simone Biles (C) and her teammates celebrate after winning the women's team final Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 2016. / AFP / Ben STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Related Article Why we need Simone, Gabby and Laurie

Long before the games, she explained her motivation to win. “I’m hoping what I can do in Rio is give some people hope…you just have to keep fighting,” Manuel told TIME. “Our ancestors did. What we do [now] is a reflection of what they have done for us. It’s also a platform for what will happen in the future. We just have to keep fighting and persevering to try to make change.”

Indeed, the politics of swimming in the U.S. mirrors our history of segregation and white resistance to integration. Still today, attitudes about swimming often reflect lasting stereotypes and white America’s attitudes about race.

We need look no further for those attitudes than today’s headlines declaring Manuel’s Olympic win.

“Michael Phelps shares historic night with African-American” said the San Jose Mercury News headline. Immediately, it was rightly blasted on social media as both sexist and racist. The paper apologized and made a correction, but still didn’t think Manuel’s historic performance deserved its own billing separate from Phelps.

You may already know that U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles has a signature move named after her called "The Biles." In fact Biles has an entire catalog of specialized maneuvers at her command when she performs a floor exercise, or on the balance beam, the uneven bars or the vault. Click through the gallery to see some of Biles' most breathtaking tumbles, dismounts and other moves that have wowed the world during her time at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: ANTONIN THUILLIER/AFP/Getty Images
You may already know that U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast Simone Biles has a signature move named after her called "The Biles." In fact Biles has an entire catalog of specialized maneuvers at her command when she performs a floor exercise, or on the balance beam, the uneven bars or the vault. Click through the gallery to see some of Biles' most breathtaking tumbles, dismounts and other moves that have wowed the world during her time at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The move that bears her name is part of a spectacular floor exercise maneuver. "The Biles" is a leap through the air that includes three elements: 1. a double layout (a layout is when the body is stretched out fully); 2. a half-twist, when Biles shifts her weight to turn her body; 3. a blind landing.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
'The Biles' —
The move that bears her name is part of a spectacular floor exercise maneuver. "The Biles" is a leap through the air that includes three elements: 1. a double layout (a layout is when the body is stretched out fully); 2. a half-twist, when Biles shifts her weight to turn her body; 3. a blind landing.
Her ability to jump high and maintain momentum in midair comes from a combination of her short stature and great strength. That's one reason why you'll see Biles perform so many "double-doubles." A double-double is a challenging double-twisting, double-back somersault tumbling move. You need to jump very high to have time to do all that twisting and flipping. Biles packs a lot of power into her 4 feet, 8 inches.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
The double-double —
Her ability to jump high and maintain momentum in midair comes from a combination of her short stature and great strength. That's one reason why you'll see Biles perform so many "double-doubles." A double-double is a challenging double-twisting, double-back somersault tumbling move. You need to jump very high to have time to do all that twisting and flipping. Biles packs a lot of power into her 4 feet, 8 inches.
Biles also is known for her extremely powerful running skills. Her ability to get up to speed quickly lets her pack more tumbling elements into a single jump.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Getting up to speed —
Biles also is known for her extremely powerful running skills. Her ability to get up to speed quickly lets her pack more tumbling elements into a single jump.
The Amanar vault has been called "one of the hardest vaults performed by women." Biles has been praised for her consistency and height when performing this move. Here's how it works: As the gymnast runs up to the horse, she hits the mat with her hands into a round-off, then hits her feet onto the spring board to do a back handspring onto the horse. Finally, she flips off the horse into a twisting layout back flip, landing facing the horse.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: David Ramos/Getty Images
Amanar vault —
The Amanar vault has been called "one of the hardest vaults performed by women." Biles has been praised for her consistency and height when performing this move. Here's how it works: As the gymnast runs up to the horse, she hits the mat with her hands into a round-off, then hits her feet onto the spring board to do a back handspring onto the horse. Finally, she flips off the horse into a twisting layout back flip, landing facing the horse.
Remember that the balance beam in gymnastics is only 4 inches wide. Near the start of Biles' balance beam performance she does an extremely difficult element called the Wolf Turn. Squatting on her right foot, with her arms and left leg outstretched -- she spins two-and-a-half times around. Then, without falling, Biles stands upright to continue her routine.
Photos: Simone Biles works best in the air
PHOTO: Lars Baron/Getty Images South America/Getty Images
The Wolf Turn —
Remember that the balance beam in gymnastics is only 4 inches wide. Near the start of Biles' balance beam performance she does an extremely difficult element called the Wolf Turn. Squatting on her right foot, with her arms and left leg outstretched -- she spins two-and-a-half times around. Then, without falling, Biles stands upright to continue her routine.