College Career at Stanford University
Manuel swam for Stanford University from 2014 to 2018, under coach Greg Meehan. During her college career, she set multiple NCAA and American records. Her contributions helped Stanford win several national titles. Notably, she played a significant role in leading the Stanford women’s swim team to consecutive NCAA championships in 2017 and 2018. She earned 21 NCAA All-American honors and won multiple individual NCAA titles in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events.
Breakthrough at the 2016 Rio Olympics
The defining moment of Manuel’s career came at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She won the 100-meter freestyle, tying with Canada’s Penny Oleksiak, both clocking a time of 52.70 seconds. This victory was monumental, breaking barriers and making her a symbol of diversity in swimming.
In addition to her individual gold, she won three more medals at Rio:
- Silver in the 50-meter freestyle
- Gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay
- Silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay
World Championships Success (2017 & 2019)
Following her Olympic triumph, Manuel continued to dominate on the international stage. At the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, she won five medals:
- Gold in the 100-meter freestyle
- Gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay
- Silver in the 50-meter freestyle
- Silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay
- Silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay
She further solidified her legacy at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, where she became the first American woman to sweep the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle at a single World Championship event. She won seven medals at the competition, including:
- Gold in the 50-meter freestyle
- Gold in the 100-meter freestyle
- Gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay
- Silver in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay
- Silver in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay
Struggles and Comeback (2021)
In 2021, Manuel revealed that she had been struggling with overtraining syndrome, a condition that forced her to take a break from swimming. Despite these challenges, she made a comeback at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, where she qualified for the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team for the Tokyo Olympics, securing a spot at her second Olympic Games.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), she earned a bronze medal as part of the U.S. women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay team, adding to her impressive Olympic medal tally.
Legacy and Impact
Manuel’s influence extends beyond the pool. She has been a vocal advocate for racial diversity and inclusivity in swimming. Her groundbreaking success has inspired a new generation of African American swimmers, challenging stereotypes and opening doors for others.