If you don't already know the name "Simone Manuel," you better learn it now. She's the first African American woman to win a gold medal in swimming in Olympics history, and also destroyed the world record while doing it. However, it's important to remember that Simone isn't just "The Black Swimmer Girl," she's a unique and quirky human being. Here are ten things you need to know about her:
1. She began swimming at age four.
Simone's parents signed her and her brothers up for a "water safety" course at their local pool when Simone was four years old. It was there that she fell in love with the sport, and of course, went above and beyond. By her second day of class, Simone was able to swim a whole lap across the pool.
2. Her friends call her "Swimone."
She got the nickname from a teammate's mom when she was in high school. I think it suits her so perfectly, it's like her parents named her for it!
3. She's a student athlete.
When Simone isn't dominating the pool, she's busy studying at Stanford. Stanford is a NCAA Division I school, and she also competes for her university's team as well as the United States Olympic Team. Something tells me she wins just about every time in that division!
4. Rio 2016 is Simone's first Olympic Games.
Even though the 2016 summer Olympics is her debut, she's already won a gold and a silver medal. In other words, she's making her way onto the world stage in a pretty good entrance!
5. She's not the only black swimmer.
Rio 2016 is the first time that two black female swimmers have qualified for the Olympic trials. Simone is joined by her fellow Stanford swimmer and magical black girl Lia Neal, who is also an Olympic veteran.
6. She's thought about leaving the pool forever.
Simone told the Huffington Post that she'd always had a problem with "not seeing 'people that looked like me' in the sport," but that her "parents and [her] coaches were always encouraging and kept [her] going." I bet she's glad she made the choice to stay now, after making history!
7. When she's not in the pool, she loves to work out to Beyonce's music.
She also says that gospel music never fails to motivate her.
8. Her first memory of watching the Olympics was Michael Phelps.
Simone says that she knew the moment she saw Phelps win his 8th gold medal that she would have to double her efforts in training to reach that point.
9. She's got a sweet tooth.
Even gold medalists love to indulge! Swimone loves to eat apple pie, ice cream, or donuts!
10. She was already making history before the Olympics.
In March 2015, Simone swept up the competition at the NCAA D1 Swimming Championship, taking home the gold medal. It was the first time that all three top places were won by black swimmers.
