Day 6 in Rio Olympics: Drama and Excitement for U.S. in Swimming, Gymnastics
By Francisco Romero. –
Gymnastics:
The highlight of the competitions witnessed Simone Biles of spring, Texas and Aly Raisman of Needham, Massachusetts win the gold and silver medals, respectively in the all-around competition.
Biles became the fourth female gymnast in Olympic history to win back-to-back World and Olympic all around titles.
Biles finished with a score of 62.198, followed by Raisman with a 60.098, and Russia’s Aliya Mustafina earned the bronze with a 58.665 score.
“Right now, it still hasn’t hit me,” said Biles, after winning the Gold Medal. “But it’s such an honor to be under that name (Olympic champion). It’s me now, and it doesn’t even feel real. I’m the same Simone; I just have two Olympic medals now.”
Swimming:
Once again Michael Phelps made headlines in the water. Phelps won the Gold Medal in the 200m Individual Medley. With the victory, Phelps is the first swimmer to win the same event in four Olympic games and the first American athlete across all sports to do so since track star Carl Lewis (Long jump; 84, 88, 92, 96).
This marks Phelps’ fourth gold medal of this Olympic games; 22nd gold medal and 26th overall medal – both records.
“The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I’ve been able to finish how I wanted to. I’ve been able to come back and been able to accomplish things that I’ve just dreamt of. Being able have the opportunity to come back and win my fourth 200 IM in a row – I don’t even know how to put that into words. So this has been a very, very special week so far,” said Phelps after the win.
Simon Manuel became the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal Thursday, tying
Canada’s Penny Oleksiak in the 100m freestyle in 52.70.
Manuel becomes the first African American woman to win a gold medal in swimming and set a new Olympic record and American record in the event.
This is Manuel’s second medal of these Games. She won a silver medal on Saturday as a member of the 400m free relay team.