Sugar Land’s Simone Manuel is Tokyo bound!
Manuel finished first in the 50-meter freestyle Sunday night at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials to qualify for the U.S. swim team for Tokyo.
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According to The New York Times, Sunday night offered Manuel her last opportunity to secure a spot on the U.S. team after failing to qualify for Tokyo in the 100-meter freestyle.
Manuel struggled to hold back tears after seeing the “1” beside her name, qualifying for Tokyo.
In a post on Twitter, Manuel shared gratitude towards her supporters.
“Thank you to my family, friends, coaches, teammates, doctors, trainers, Team Wasserman, sponsors and partners, competitors, old and new fans...” Manuel writes. “I am completely overwhelmed by all the love and support I have received. Tokyo here we come!”
Headed to Tokyo!!!! 🇺🇸 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/LOf2K6b7qg
— Simone Manuel (@swimone) June 21, 2021
This year’s games will be Manuel’s second consecutive Olympics.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won two gold and two silver medals.
The Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony is set for Friday, July 23.
According to the Olympics schedule, the women’s 50-meter freestyle heats, which Manuel will compete in, begin Friday, July 30.