The world fell in love with Simone Manuel the moment she won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first Black American woman to win an individual medal in swimming. However, Simone’s barrier-breaking, record-making days began long before that memorable moment in Rio. From State to National Age Group Records to American and World Records, Simone has continued to thrive at the highest level.
Pursuit
Olympics
Time and time again, Simone was regarded as the underdog. And time and time again, Simone shattered assumptions. After Rio, Simone cemented herself as one of the world’s best sprinters by earning 5 gold medals and one bronze medal at the following year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
She continued to amaze the world with her stellar performances at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, where Simone became the first woman to win 7 medals at a World Championships. Additionally, she earned back to back world titles in the 100-meter freestyle and became the first American woman to sweep both sprint events at a World Championships by adding a gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle.
From her infectious smile to her magnetic personality that’s easy to connect with, Simone has demonstrated that she’s an athlete with courage, fire, and grit, who is a force to be reckoned with in and out of the pool. Her pursuit of excellence drives her commitment to save lives through swim lessons and to inspire all people to reach beyond what is thought to be impossible.
Timeline
2012
U.S. Olympic Trials - Omaha, Nebraska
Finished 17th in the 100-meter freestyle, tied for 20th in the 50-meter freestyle, and placed 50th in the 200-meter freestyle as a 15-year-old.
Finished 17th in the 100-meter freestyle, tied for 20th in the 50-meter freestyle, and placed 50th in the 200-meter freestyle as a 15-year-old.
Based on her performances at Olympic Trials, Simone qualified for the Junior Pan Pacific team where she earned gold in the 100-meter freestyle.
2013
World Championships - Barcelona, Spain
Gold: 4x100m freestyle relay. Seventh in 50m freestyle (lifetime best & 15-16 age group record, 24.80). Qualified at U.S. Nationals: 2nd in 50m freestyle, 3rd in 100m freestyle.
Duel in the Pool - Glasgow, Scotland
1st: 100m freestyle, 3rd: 50m freestyle, 2nd: 4x100m freestyle relay. 1st in tie-breaking 200m mixed medley relay (world record, 1:37.17).
Gold: 4x100m freestyle relay. Seventh in 50m freestyle (lifetime best & 15-16 age group record, 24.80). Qualified at U.S. Nationals: 2nd in 50m freestyle, 3rd in 100m freestyle.
Duel in the Pool - Glasgow, Scotland
1st: 100m freestyle, 3rd: 50m freestyle, 2nd: 4x100m freestyle relay. 1st in tie-breaking 200m mixed medley relay (world record, 1:37.17).
2014
Pan Pacific - Gold Coast, Australia
Three-time medalist: Silver (4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay), Bronze (100m freestyle). Fourth in 50m freestyle.
U.S. Nationals - Irvine, California
Simone: 1st in 50m freestyle (24.56, 17-18 National Age Group record), 2nd in 100m freestyle, 7th in 200m freestyle.
NASA Jr. Nationals - Clearwater, Florida
Simone set American Record twice in 100-yard freestyle: 46.83 and 46.75.
Three-time medalist: Silver (4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay), Bronze (100m freestyle). Fourth in 50m freestyle.
U.S. Nationals - Irvine, California
Simone: 1st in 50m freestyle (24.56, 17-18 National Age Group record), 2nd in 100m freestyle, 7th in 200m freestyle.
NASA Jr. Nationals - Clearwater, Florida
Simone set American Record twice in 100-yard freestyle: 46.83 and 46.75.
2015
World Championships - Kazan, Russia
Gold: Mixed 4x100m freestyle (WR-3:23.05), Bronze: 4x100m freestyle. 6th in 100m freestyle, 8th in 50m freestyle.
Duel in the Pool - Indianapolis, Indiana
Gold: 100m freestyle (AR-51.69), 4x100m medley (WR-3:45.20). Silver: 4x100m freestyle relay.
Stanford Women’s Swimming
7-time All-America, PAC-12 Freshman of the Year, Scholar All-America 1st team.
4 NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle (46.09), 4x100-yard freestyle relay, 4x100-yard medley relay. Historic NCAA moment: 100-yard freestyle final - 1st Simone, 2nd Lia Neal, 3rd Natalie Hinds (first sweep by women of color).
Gold: Mixed 4x100m freestyle (WR-3:23.05), Bronze: 4x100m freestyle. 6th in 100m freestyle, 8th in 50m freestyle.
Duel in the Pool - Indianapolis, Indiana
Gold: 100m freestyle (AR-51.69), 4x100m medley (WR-3:45.20). Silver: 4x100m freestyle relay.
Stanford Women’s Swimming
7-time All-America, PAC-12 Freshman of the Year, Scholar All-America 1st team.
4 NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle (46.09), 4x100-yard freestyle relay, 4x100-yard medley relay. Historic NCAA moment: 100-yard freestyle final - 1st Simone, 2nd Lia Neal, 3rd Natalie Hinds (first sweep by women of color).
2016
Rio Olympic Games
Gold: 100m freestyle (Olympic record 52.07, first US gold in the event since 1984 & first individual gold for an African-American female swimmer), 4x100m medley relay. Silver: 50m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay.
Received Golden Goggle for Female Race of the Year.
U.S. Olympic Trials - Omaha, Nebraska
Finished second in both 50m and 100m freestyle, qualifying for her first Olympic team.
Gold: 100m freestyle (Olympic record 52.07, first US gold in the event since 1984 & first individual gold for an African-American female swimmer), 4x100m medley relay. Silver: 50m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay.
Received Golden Goggle for Female Race of the Year.
U.S. Olympic Trials - Omaha, Nebraska
Finished second in both 50m and 100m freestyle, qualifying for her first Olympic team.
2017
World Championships - Budapest, Hungary
Gold in 100m freestyle (AR-52.27), 4x100m freestyle (AR-3:31.72), 4x100m medley (WR-3:51.55), Mixed relays: 4x100m medley (WR-3:38.56) & 4x100m freestyle (WR-3:19.16). Silver in 50m freestyle (AR-23.97).
Top U.S. female swimmer with seven medals.
Golden Goggle: Female Athlete of the Year and Relay Performance (Women’s 4x100M Medley).
Stanford Women’s Swimming
Member of NCAA & PAC-12 Championship teams. CSCAA Scholar All-America, Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year, Seven-time All-America. First woman sub-46 in 100-yard freestyle.
Watch 100-Yard Freestyle.
NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle (21.17), 100-yard freestyle (45.56), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:07.61), 800-yard freestyle relay (6:45.91).
Gold in 100m freestyle (AR-52.27), 4x100m freestyle (AR-3:31.72), 4x100m medley (WR-3:51.55), Mixed relays: 4x100m medley (WR-3:38.56) & 4x100m freestyle (WR-3:19.16). Silver in 50m freestyle (AR-23.97).
Top U.S. female swimmer with seven medals.
Golden Goggle: Female Athlete of the Year and Relay Performance (Women’s 4x100M Medley).
Stanford Women’s Swimming
Member of NCAA & PAC-12 Championship teams. CSCAA Scholar All-America, Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year, Seven-time All-America. First woman sub-46 in 100-yard freestyle.
Watch 100-Yard Freestyle.
NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle (21.17), 100-yard freestyle (45.56), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:07.61), 800-yard freestyle relay (6:45.91).
2018
Pan Pacific - Tokyo, Japan
Five medals: Silver in 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, and bronze in Mixed 4x100m medley relay.
U.S. Nationals - Irvine, CA
U.S. Open records: 50m freestyle win (24.10), 100m freestyle win (52.54). 5th in 200m freestyle.
Stanford Women’s Swimming
Member of NCAA & PAC-12 Championship teams, Team Captain, Honda Sports Award winner, Seven-time All-America, Three-time PAC-12 champion.
NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, relays: 200-yard freestyle (1:25.43), 200-yard medley (1:33.11), 400-yard medley (3:25.09), and 400-yard freestyle.
Five medals: Silver in 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, and bronze in Mixed 4x100m medley relay.
U.S. Nationals - Irvine, CA
U.S. Open records: 50m freestyle win (24.10), 100m freestyle win (52.54). 5th in 200m freestyle.
Stanford Women’s Swimming
Member of NCAA & PAC-12 Championship teams, Team Captain, Honda Sports Award winner, Seven-time All-America, Three-time PAC-12 champion.
NCAA Titles: 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, relays: 200-yard freestyle (1:25.43), 200-yard medley (1:33.11), 400-yard medley (3:25.09), and 400-yard freestyle.
2019
World Championships - Gwangju, South Korea
Gold: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle (AR-52.04), Mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay. Silver: 4x100m free relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, Mixed 4x100m medley relay.
First U.S. woman with consecutive 100m freestyle world titles.
First female swimmer with 7 medals at World Championships.
Golden Goggle: Female Athlete of the Year, Relay Performance (Women’s 4x100M Medley Relay).
Gold: 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle (AR-52.04), Mixed 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay. Silver: 4x100m free relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, Mixed 4x100m medley relay.
First U.S. woman with consecutive 100m freestyle world titles.
First female swimmer with 7 medals at World Championships.
Golden Goggle: Female Athlete of the Year, Relay Performance (Women’s 4x100M Medley Relay).
2020
Unfortunately, the season was cut short due to Coronavirus, but the hard work required to reach goals continues.
Our dreams are delayed, not denied!
2021
Olympic Trials - Omaha, Nebraska
Gold: 50m freestyle (24.29) Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games
Tokyo Olympic Games - Tokyo, Japan
Bronze: Women's 4x100m freestyle relay (3:32.81)
Gold: 50m freestyle (24.29) Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games
Tokyo Olympic Games - Tokyo, Japan
Bronze: Women's 4x100m freestyle relay (3:32.81)
2022
After overcoming her diagnosis of Overtraining Syndrome leading up to the 2021 Trials and Olympic Games, Simone took some much needed rest and recovery. She reset her goals and started a new journey training at Arizona State University.
2023
Simone dives back into some competitions to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games. She launched the Simone Manuel Foundation with a mission to provide education and resources for BIPOC youth to create positive swim readiness experiences and increase water safety awareness in communities of color.