“The person that I am is probably the proudest thing that I cherish…”

Everyone has a purpose, but very few will be able to say they made history. But at age 19, Stanford University swimmer Simone Manuel checked “making history” off her to-do list.

The communications major became the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic gold medal in swimming when competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Arguably, she is poised for continued greatness. EBONY.com sat down with the four-time Olympian for a quick conversation on her legacy and why she will always remain “Simone.”