Sports

The US Olympic Speedskating Team Already Made History This Year

This woman is really fast and will compete with the U.S. speedskating team at the Winter Games.

The US Olympic Speedskating Team Already Made History This Year
Getty Images
SMS

A black woman is now on the U.S. Olympic speedskating team. Maame Biney recently qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics — making her the first black woman and only the second black speedskater to ever join the U.S. team.

The 17-year-old is originally from Ghana.

"Since speedskating or any ice sport isn't an option back in Africa, I would just tell all the little kids back there just to find something that you love," Biney told Voice of America.

An All-Black African Team Is Trying To Make A First In Cycling
An All-Black African Team Is Trying To Make A First In Cycling

An All-Black African Team Is Trying To Make A First In Cycling

The Tour de France is largely made up of European riders.

LEARN MORE

Biney grew up in Virginia, where she first got into figure skating. Her speed got her some attention.

"The first day she got on the ice, I was scared, you know. I thought she was going to break her head open," said Biney's father, Kweku Biney.

So just how fast is Biney? Fast enough to beat former Olympians in a qualifying round. And as of the qualifying races, her personal best for 500 meters — or just over 0.3 miles — is 43.161 seconds.

Biney and the rest of the team will compete in South Korea this winter.