If you know just one thing about Simone Manuel, it’s probably that she won gold in the women’s 100m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But Manuel, 24, has won far more than just that single medal.
On Thursday night at U.S.
Manuel revealed that – after experiencing symptoms that included increased heart rate, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and soreness – she was diagnosed with overtraining syndrome in March.
“This was the first time I showed up to a meet – and before I even dove in to do a race – I was proud of myself.
Since Manuel competed at the Rio Olympics, she has become the spokesperson for diversity in swimming.
When I’m in a press conference and I’m asked, ‘Simone, you champion diversity, inclusion and equality.
Shouldn’t diversity, equality and inclusion be important to all of us? It can’t just be important to Black people.
Before this week’s U.S.
While I cannot begin to understand how exhausting it must be for Manuel to constantly be asked questions like these, I can commit to not putting the burden solely on her in the future.