RIO DE JANEIRO _ When Simone Manuel returned to the Olympic Village early Friday morning after becoming the first black woman to ever win an individual gold medal in swimming at the Games, roommate Katie Ledecky was waiting in their apartment.
"She said, 'I wasn't going to fall asleep until I have you a hug,' " Manuel said Friday afternoon at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium. "That really meant a lot to me. Her staying up said enough in itself."
Manuel, a 20-year old who attends Stanford, remained even-keeled about making history. The feat came after one the most dramatic finishes of the swimming competition where Canada's Penny Oleksiak and Manuel both touched the wall in 52.70 seconds to tie for the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and set an Olympic record.
"I'm glad I can be an inspiration to others, but I haven't really thought about how much life has changed yet," Manuel said.
She's tried not to think much about the flood of people congratulating her, either, after a moment that quickly transcended sports.
Teammate Lia Neal alerted Manuel that LeBron James tweeted that she was "inspiring" and Serena Williams called her "so amazing."
Even Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the 'Hamilton' musical, sent a message.
"I am watching the glorious mermaid Simone Manuel make history," he tweeted. "Well done, incredible mermaid."
Manuel, meanwhile, had to focus on more swimming Friday. She advanced to the semifinal of the 50-meter freestyle in 24.71 seconds, the 11th-fastest qualifier of the afternoon.
