OMAHA, Neb. — It’s the shortest race in the Olympic pool, but the stories of two Americans who could represent the country in the 50 freestyle are long and filled with history.
On Saturday night at the U.S. Olympic trials, Simone Manuel, 24, and Nathan Adrian, 32, both qualified with the third-fastest swims for their 50 finals, which will be held Sunday on the trials’ final night of competition.
Manuel, the American record holder and reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 100 free and American record holder and reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 50 free, spoke Thursday night about her struggles with overtraining, anxiety and depression after failing to qualify for the final in the 100 free.
Two nights later, she qualified for the final of the 50 free.
“I’m just trying to race as best as I possibly can with whatever my body has,” she said after her race, which was her fastest swim since the pandemic.
