The U.S. Olympic speedskating team just got hit with a little extra Black Girl Magic, as 17-year-old Maame Biney becomes the first black female to qualify for the team.
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According to reports, Biney of Reston, Virginia, etched her name in the history books after she won the 500-meter races at the U.S. Olympic Short Track Trails last week.
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Biney’s speedskating journey did not come easy, but it all started when she was six-years-old after her father, Kweku Biney, moved her to the U.S. to give her a better future. Although Kweku had to leave behind the rest of their family, he saw something special in his daughter.
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During an interview with reporters after Biney’s historic win, Kweku pulled out a schedule reminder card for her first group skating lesson, dated, Dec. 17, 2005. Now, 12 years later, Biney has qualified for the Olympics. Although she is originally from Ghana, she has chosen to represent the United States because of its diversity.
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“This is what this country is. It’s diverse and different, and that’s exactly why I’m representing the U.S. Because we’re different,” Biney said. “Even with all the hard work, all the crying, all the tears, I would do it again because I had double the laughter.”
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Along with being the first black female to qualify for the team, according to reports, Biney is also the second African-born athlete to compete for the U.S. at a Winter Olympics.
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Congratulations to Maame Biney!
