Simone Manuel, a trailblazer in swimming, made a splash by missing the semifinals in the 50-meter freestyle at the Paris Olympics, leaving fans and fishes wondering what went wrong.

Despite her historic achievements and recent silver medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, Simone Manuel's journey hit a roadblock in Paris. The first Black woman to win an individual gold in swimming, Manuel clocked the 18th fastest time in the 50-meter freestyle preliminaries, falling short of the semifinals. Her abrupt exit without comment has sparked speculation, adding to the woes of an already underperforming American swim team at these Olympics.

In the preliminaries of the 50-meter freestyle, Manuel posted a time of 24.87 seconds, placing her 18th overall. With only the top 16 swimmers advancing to the semifinals, this left her out of contention. This result was especially surprising given Manuel’s sterling track record in previous competitions. Looks like even swimmers have off days—maybe someone forgot to tell the water to cooperate!

Earlier in the games, Manuel had brought a silver lining to Team USA by contributing to the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team’s silver medal win. Despite this success, her solo effort in the 50-meter freestyle did not follow suit—a real splash of disappointment for the seasoned swimmer.

Simone Manuel's historic impact in the sport is undeniable. She made headlines as the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal in swimming, a milestone achievement in a sport long dominated by a specific demographic. Her victories have inspired many, making her missed semifinal mark all the more shocking—almost as surprising as finding out mermaids aren't real.

The mood was somber on the pool deck following her race as Manuel stormed off without addressing the media. Her silent exit has fueled speculation about possible reasons behind her performance, ranging from lingering effects of her battle with overtraining syndrome to sheer bad luck in the pool. If only swimming fast could be blamed on zodiac signs, but alas, it seems more likely rooted in rigorous realities.

Sarah Sjöström of Sweden, known for her subaqueous speed, topped the preliminaries, securing her spot as the fastest qualifier with ease. While Sjöström surged ahead, Manuel’s unexpected elimination added to the list of disappointments for the American swim team at these Olympic Games.

Indeed, the U.S. swim team has struggled to meet expectations in Paris, securing only four gold medals as of the penultimate day of competition. High profile swimmers like Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy also faced setbacks, with Dressel failing to advance past the semifinals in the 100-meter butterfly and Murphy being eliminated in the semifinals of the 200-meter backstroke. Looks like our swimmers left their gold at the bottom of the Seine this time!

Manuel’s recent time away from competitive swimming due to overtraining syndrome could be a contributing factor to her current form. Overtraining syndrome, which results from excessive physical training and stress, can lead to burnout, persistent fatigue, and a decline in performance – a reality Manuel has been candid about in the past. Think of it as a reminder from the universe that even champions need their rest days!

At the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Simone Manuel finished 11th in the semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle, and did not make it to the final. The Paris Olympics was seen by many as a chance for her redemption. However, this time, despite fans' hopes that she might swim like a dolphin on caffeine, she failed to qualify for the semifinals, leaving her fans wishing for a miracle that didn't quite materialize.

The trials and tribulations of these Olympic Games have certainly tested the mettle of the American swim team. Individual performances have been varied, and the full picture of the team's situation remains to be understood. With ups and downs that make a roller coaster seem tame, the American swimmers are giving us quite the ride.

For now, Simone Manuel’s fans are left to ponder what could have been. The swimmer’s extraordinary talent and dedication to the sport ensure that this setback, while significant, is but a chapter in her ongoing journey. The waters may have been choppy in Paris, but her legacy and future endeavors are sure to make waves.