Simone Manuel is a renowned American competitive swimmer who made history at the 2016 Rio Olympics by becoming the first African-American woman to win an individual gold medal in swimming. Born in 1996 in Sugar Land, Texas, Manuel began swimming at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a standout athlete. She went on to attend Stanford University where she continued to excel in the pool and set numerous records. Throughout her career, Manuel has been an advocate for diversity and representation in swimming, inspiring a new generation of athletes.