Brooklyn Teen 2nd African-American Woman In History To Make The US Olympic Swim Team
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's a dream come true.
Brooklyn native Lia Neal has become the second African-American woman in history to qualify for the US Olympic Swim Team.
The 17-year-old, who is entering her senior year at the Convent of the Sacred Heart on Manhattan's Upper East Side this fall, will compete in the 400 meter freestyle relay at the Olympics in London.
1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports
Podcast
"I always wanted to go to the Olympics," Neal told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Stan Brooks, on Thursday. "I think every kid wants to go to the Olympics but it always seemed like a dream and it didn't really seem like it was that possible until recently."
Neal qualified for the Olympic swim team after placing fourth in the 100 meter freestyle competition on Saturday.
"Swimming has definitely been a huge part of my life," Neal said. "I've been in it for 11 years now and my family has always been really supportive, no matter what I did."
She has been on the Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) swim team for nine years and is a Swim for the Future Scholarship recipient.
Neal said she is proud to represent New York in the Olympics and hopes she doesn't let down her hometown saying, "I'll try to do the best I can."
Show your support below in the comments section!
