Gold Medal Winner Simone Manuel Inspires Young Chicago Swimmers
(CBS) -- Simone Manuel became the first African-American woman to win Olympic gold in swimming.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports how that victory has inspired so many here in Chicago.
Sixteen-year-old Deavon Stalling of the Mighty Krocs Swim Club says Simone Manuel's gold medal win was not just inspiring but groundbreaking.
"It was just so emotional for me, because she even said, 'I've been through so much," Stalling says. "Just being a black woman myself and to see just someone like me, like the color, is just so amazing and for her to get an Olympic record is even better."
Manuel is the first African-American woman to win an individual swimming gold medal, doing so in the 100-meter freestyle.
Carlos Tucker is the Aquatics Manager at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.
"She's the first and hopefully, she won't be the last," he says. "She's a trailblazer for the sport of aquatics, not just for African Americans, but just aquatics, period."
She's lighting an Olympic fire in the hearts and souls of members of the Mighty Krocs Swim Club.
"Now, I want to challenge myself and push myself a little more than what I used to, because now I could think I can do the same thing that she did," Ronald Hickey says.
