Maame Biney.Photo: Minas Panagiotakis/International Skating Union via Getty
Maame Bineyis proving to the next generation that anything is possible.
“My life goal is to be able to inspire people,” said the athlete, who began speed skating at 6 years old.
Biney, who was born in Ghana and calls Virginia her home state, added, “I hope to do the best that I can and make them proud but also, ultimately, like make myself proud.”
The star celebrated her 22nd birthday en route to Beijing with her Team USA friends surprising her with balloons and cheers during the flight.
Erin Jackson.Courtesy US Speedskating
Also in Beijing, Biney’s friend and two-time Olympic long track speed skater Erin Jackson is hoping to inspire. During the Opening Ceremony on Friday, the Florida native spoke toNBCabout why representation matters.
“I just try to be a good example whenever I can. Especially with young Black girls, and you know really anyone, with the winter Olympics you don’t see a whole lot of diversity so I hope I can be someone who they can see and be like, ‘Oh maybe I’ll go out and try one of these sports.’ That would be awesome,” the 29-year-old said.
In 2018, Jackson became the first Black woman to be on Team USA’s long track speed skating team and qualified for Pyeongchang after learning to speed skate just four months prior. (Jackson, who also excels at inline skating, didn’t start on ice skates until 24 years old.)
As the current No. 1 in the world, Jackson is the favorite to take gold and has the chance to become the first Black American woman to win an Olympic medal in speed skating.
Audiences can cheer on Biney during the Feb. 7 quarterfinals of the women’s 500m short track event. Meanwhile, Jackson makes her debut in Beijing on Feb. 12 in the women’s 500m long track event.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, beginning Feb 3, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
