1/🧵 Elite Black Swimmers are taking a wonderful place in Sports History!
When I was a boy, we had no Black swimmers on my AAU team. At 2015 NCAA’s, 3 Black women stood on the podium in the 100 free: Simone Manuel, Lia Neal & Natalie Hinds.
@WomenSportsFdn @swimswamnews
2/ The #Olympic 4x100 free relay had 2 of those women (@swimone & Natalie) on the podium wearing bronze in Tokyo. Natialie came back after quitting swimming & hough Simone was not in top 6 at trials, coaches put her in finals & she had the fastest split!
bit.ly/3zdOM0j
3/ About that historic 2015 NCAA’s, Maritza McClendon said of Manuel, Neal & Hinds🥇sweep: "A tear instantly came to my eyes, I couldn’t believe it. This is a true moment in history for minorities. 3 women of color take 1,2, 3 in the 100 free!”
@GDavid01
bit.ly/3jjiStX
4/ In 2002, Maritza McClendon (@RitzySwim04) became the first Black to break an American record in swimming. She went on to be the 1st Black woman to set a world swim record, the 1st to make the Olym. team, the 1st NCAA champion & the 1st to win an Olympic medal. @diversityinaqua
5/ @AnthonyErvin was the 1st U.S. African American to top the Olympic podium in 2004 & again in 2016 in 50 free.💥
@swimone was the 1st woman to do so in Rio in 100 free.💥
@CullenJones is a 2 time Olympian (2G, 2S) & world record holder who is now a motivational speaker! 💥
6/fin
I am relishing in the beauty of these athletes who bring all they can to sport & break boundaries. Look at the smiles of Simone & @LiaNeal. Be lifted up…goodness knows we need it right now!
#GetVaxxed
YouTube: bit.ly/3kpunPP
@stanfordwswim @UVASwimDive @ClubSwimatUVA
See attached🧵😀 🏊♀️- retweet if it makes you happy
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