U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) issued the following statement on local Olympian, Theresa A. Manuel, who passed away in Tampa on Nov. 21.

“The Tampa community has lost a history-maker and long-time educator, Theresa Manuel. She shattered barriers by becoming the first African-American woman from Florida to compete in the Olympics. She then spent her lifetime championing students as an educator and coach at Middleton and Hillsborough high schools – motivating them to win on the field and in life. Tampa has been dubbed a City of Champions, and Ms. Manuel was one of them.”

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