Simone Manuel has made her third Olympic team, three years after a debilitating diagnosis robbed her of her training regimen and ability to compete.
The Texas native, 27, took fourth place in the 100-meter freestyle final at the U.S. Olympic swim trials on Wednesday, June 19 — good enough for a spot on the relay team in Paris.
While her finish left her three-tenths of a second from competing in the event at the Summer Games, it was a victory for the five-time Olympic medalist.
“Being in this arena, and being surrounded by these fans, honestly has been so healing,” Manuel told reporters after the final at Lucas Oil Stadium. “To know that these people are just excited to see me swim again, swim at this level again, is something that’s really special.”
Continue reading (via People)
