Thirty years ago, I was thriving in NCAA Division III swimming. And I thought I was hot stuff. That’s why I never imagined a Black swimmer like me would be dominating Division 1.
Black women dominate swimming
Yet, many Black women swimmers are doing just that these days.
African-American swimmers took the top three finishes in a single event at the Women’s Division 1 NCAA Championship this weekend, a feat recognized by the national governing body of swimming in the United States with a celebratory tweet.
Freshman phenom Simone Manuel of Stanford set an NCAA, American, U.S. Open, Championship, and Pool record when she clocked a time of 46.09 in the Women’s 100-yard Freestyle; Manuel’s Stanford teammate Lia Neal came in second place with a time of 47.13 … the University of Florida’s Natalie Hinds [came in third] with a time of 47.24.
(NBC Sports, March 23, 2015)
I could not be prouder. And I don’t mind admitting that these women swim faster than I ever did. For example, my best time in the 100-yard Freestyle was around 48.00. That wouldn’t have even qualified for the final in their event, let alone win a medal.
Black people can swim
Of course, pioneering Black swimmers like Enith Brigitha, Maritza (Correia) McClendon, Anthony Nesty, Anthony Ervin, Cullen Jones, and Alia Atkinson dispelled the myth that Blacks couldn’t swim long ago.
But what Manuel, Neal, and Hinds did is historic. Their achievements warrant celebration and far more media coverage. Perhaps coverage of their feats at Rio 2016 will more than compensate. I can’t wait!