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Michael Phelps reacted to Simone Manuel winning the 50m freestyle event at the 2024 US Olympic Swim Trials and earning an Olympic berth in an individual event. His emphatic fist pumps celebrating Manuel's win drew the attention of fans, who were in awe of the heartwarming moment.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Simone Manuel won two golds in the 100m freestyle and 4x100m medley and silver medals in the 50m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay. She became the first black American female in swimming history to win an individual Olympic gold, setting the Olympic and the US record.
Manuel finished first at the US Olympic Swim Trials in 2021 but failed to qualify for the 50m freestyle finals at the Tokyo Olympics. She has yet again secured a berth in Paris in the 50m freestyle, clocking a time of 24.13s.
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Manuel's dramatic finish left her in disbelief while Michael Phelps and commentator Rowdy Gaines jumped up from their seats while fist-pumping.
"She just gets off that block, right? She gets off, she's behind them. Look at Walsh, she's gotta be two meters ahead of her," Gaines said after Manuel blazed through the pool despite being behind earlier.
Fans reacted to Michael Phelps celebrating his former coach Bob Bowman's trainee. One said they could watch the video on loop.
"I could watch this on loop for the rest of the day."
Another fan felt Phelps' excitement going through the roof.
"Michael is so excited for Simone. He can’t even commentate because he too busy watching..."
Phelps' reaction struck a chord with a third fan, who said they felt the same thrill during Manuel's race as him.
"Micheal Phelps and I were literally the same during the race. Like I jumped."
Here are a few more reactions:
"The Olympics is going to be epic," this fan proclaimed.
"I love that more and more schools/teams/networks are giving us these "behind the scenes of our broadcast" videos!" a fan tweeted.
"The Simones are taking it!!" one commented.
Michael Phelps - "The beauty Of Olympic Trials! Congrats Simone Manuel !!"
Simone Manuel was part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team which won the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Soon after, she revealed she was diagnosed with overtraining syndrome and kept herself away from the pool.
She made her return to swimming in 2023 but didn't take a shot at the World Championships last year. Instead, she shifted to Arizona and began training under Michael Phelps' long-time coach, Bob Bowman to rebuild her confidence.
After her top finish in the 50m freestyle at the Trials, Phelps handed a bouquet to her and also congratulated her on Instagram.
"The beauty of Olympic trials! Congrats @swimone!! I know the journey wasn't ez- but what matters most is what's done, day in and day out... when no one is watching!!!" Phelps wrote.
Simone Manuel will now compete in the women's 50m freestyle event at the Paris Olympics which is scheduled for August 3, 2024.
