African Americans on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team
This year THREE African Americans made history by earning spots on the U.S. Olympic Swim Team. A team that is historically predominantly white – reflecting the sport of competitive swimming.
Lia Neal (Left) two-time Olympian. Simone Manuel (Right) first-time Olympian
Anthony Irvin, Simone Manuel, and Lia Neal will compete in Rio. This is the first time two African American women have made the team. American swimmers have participated in the Olympics since 1896 – and this is only the second time we have seen three African Americans on the swim team. But it won’t be the last. The U.S. Olympic swim team will continue to reflect the beautiful diversity of this country because the face of competitive swimming is changing. Irvin first made the U.S. Olympic team in 2000 and returned in 2012. This will be his third Olympic games. Lia earned a spot on the Olympic team in 2012, this will be her second Olympic games.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The U.S. Olympic swim team will continue to reflect the beautiful diversity of this country because the face of competitive swimming is changing.[/pullquote]
Over the next 25 days, Black Kids Swim will profile Black Olympic swimmers and Black swimmers we hope to see in the 2020 Olympics. We hope these educational and inspirational posts will motivate YOU or your swimmer to start training now for the 2020 games.
Together, we can CHANGE THE TIDE
#2020Olympian #TokyoHereWeCome
