Day six at the Olympics was jam packed with action. From the gym to the pool, the United States put on a show. The United States won three gold medals in the pool, but two were particularly special.
The most anticipated race of the night was between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200 meter individual medley. The two best friends but longtime rivals faced off one last time in Rio. It was expected to be a close race, as for the last 13 years, no swimmer has won this event in a major championship other than Phelps or Lochte, but it was Phelps that one by quite a big margin. It was the 22nd gold medal for Phelps, which is just a ridiculous number.
After winning the race everyone was talking about for days, Phelps had another emotional anthem atop the podium. But there was no time to relax. Phelps had his next race in less than 40 minutes after his previous race. In the 100 meter Butterfly, Phelps started slow, but somehow fought his way into 2nd place in his heat, enough to qualify for tomorrow night’s final. So he won gold against his rival, heard the national anthem for his gold for a 22nd time, and then had to qualify, all within an hour. The man is amazing.
For me, the most exciting moment of the night was American Simone Manuel winning the gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle. Manuel went up against the dominant Campbell sisters from Australia, as well as a strong Sarah Sjostrom from Sweden. No one even mentioned Manuel before the race. She trailed in the last 50 meters, but she swam past everyone to end up in a tie for gold and the Olympic record with the Canadian Penny Oleksiak. The moment she found out she won gold was truly priceless. She became the first African-American woman to ever win an individual Olympic medal.
“I mean, the gold medal wasn’t just for me,” said Manuel. “It was for people that came before me and inspired me to stay in the sport. For people who believe that they can’t do it, I hope I’m an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming.”
Manuel was in tears at the podium, and it was very emotional to watch. I was lucky enough to meet Manuel and speak to her at the U.S. Olympic Swim Team training camp in San Antonio. She was so funny, and she never stopped smiling. To think from there she won gold at the Olympics is incredible.
Credit:New York Times
From the pool, the night went to the gym, where there was little drama, but still a lot of excitement. Simone Biles, as expected, won the gold medal in the women’s individual all-around competition. Biles blew everyone out of the water, winning by 2.1 points, a bigger margin than the winners from 1980-2012 did combined. Many are calling Biles the best gymnast of all time, and I have to agree.
Biles’s teammate, Aly Raisman, won the silver medal in the all-around. After struggling in the uneven bars, Raisman put on a spectacular performance on the balance beam and floor exercise to clinch second place. Raisman tied for bronze four years ago in London, but lost out due to a tiebreaker. This year, Raisman not only redeemed herself by winning silver, but she beat Aliya Mustafina, the Russian who won the bronze in London over her.
It was a thrilling night in Rio for sure. History was made by two of the greatest Olympians of all time in Simone Biles and Michael Phelps, Simone Manuel made history in her own right in the pool, and Aly Raisman came back in her second Olympics to win the medal she thought she deserved four years ago.
Every day continues two bring more excitement at the Olympics. And the best part, we’re not even halfway through.