Screening Room

Parting the Waters – Breaking Swimming’s Color Barrier

Parting the Waters - Breaking Swimming's Color Barrier In 2004, Maritza Correia became the first African-American female swimmer on the US Olympic team, winning silver in Athens. In 2006, Cullen Jones set a world record in the 50-meter freestyle. Though young black and Latino athletes are making inroads in competitive swimming, they make up fewer than one percent of the field in the US.

October 5, 2007

Parting the Waters - Breaking Swimming's Color Barrier In 2004, Maritza Correia became the first African-American female swimmer on the US Olympic team, winning silver in Athens. In 2006, Cullen Jones set a world record in the 50-meter freestyle. Though young black and Latino athletes are making inroads in competitive swimming, they make up fewer than one percent of the field in the US.