In an electrifying finish, American swimmer Simone Manuel tied Canadian Penny Oleksiak to take the gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle in the Olympic swimming competition in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the first African American woman to win an Olympic medal of any color in an individual swimming event.
Manuel and Oleksiak finished in a time of 52.7 seconds, which is also a new American record. Manuel held the record previously.
Lia Neal was the first African American to win an Olympic swimming medal, bringing home bronze as part of the 400 meter relay team in 2012.
Oleksiak and Australian Cate Campbell were heavily favored to win the race, but Campbell faded in the second 50 meters and did not finish in the top three.
