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Sunday, July 25, 2004
Puerto Rican born swimmer of Guyanese Parents, Maritza Correia, made the US Olympic swim team and became only the second African American to do so but the first black woman. Ms. Correia will compete on the 400 Meters freestyle relay team after placing fourth in 100 meters freestyle at US Olympic swim trials in California. Speaking with reporters after, Ms. Correia said she wanted to be a role model for other minority swimmers. She acknowledged middle and upper class whites dominate the sport because of its high costs and the difficulty in accessing pools and other facilities. The 22 year old began swimming at age 7. She is no overnight success. In 2003 she earned a gold medal swimming on prelim 400m free relay at World Championships took third in the 50m free at the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool was third in the 50m free at the CP Spring Nationals won the 50y and 100y freestyles for her fourth and fifth NCAA titles; and broke the American record in the 100y freestyle.
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