Maame BINEY

PYEONGCHANG EXPERIENCE
“I loved it being in Korea because Korea is such a powerhouse in the speed skating world. They love the sport, and the stadium was packed and noisy. The people and the food were great, too. It was just such a good experience. It made me really want to go again, and make it to Beijing 2022.” (olympics.com, 1 Mar 2021)

FIRST BLACK WOMAN
Became the first African American woman to represent the United States in short track at the Olympic Winter Games at PyeongChang 2018. “In a way it was a surprise, and in a way it wasn’t. Winter sports are very white. I’ve been a speed skater all my life, and surrounded by people who aren’t black all my life, but the speed skating community is very close knit. There are no bad vibes, no bad juju, no sense of, ‘She’s black, she doesn’t belong here.' I didn’t grow up feeling different. It wasn’t something I needed to think about, day to day. But at the Olympics, everyone wanted to interview me because of it. It was kind of cool at the same time, though. It’s nice to represent the black community in a sport that is white and Asian dominated. I’m happy to be that person.” (olympics.com, 1 Mar 2021)

ALTER EGO
When she competes, she has an alter ego called Anna Digger, who helps her overcome her nerves. “The thing about Anna is she is very fierce and strong, and she doesn’t care about anything. She doesn’t care who she’s on the ice with. All she wants to do is be the fastest and the smartest, and cross that line first. We are completely different. I’m very shy and awkward. In real life, I like to stay in the background, not be front and centre. But you need that in racing. So having Anna by my side, she can do that being-fierce stuff for me. Getting in character helps me go faster." (olympics.com, 1 Mar 2021)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Served on the executive committee for the city of Salt Lake City, in its bid to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2030 or 2034. (isu.org)

FAMILY
Moved from Ghana to Maryland, USA, at age five with her father. "My father wanted to get away from Ghana to have a better life in America, and he also allowed me to stay instead of forcing me to go back to Ghana. I'm so happy that he even thought of me like that. I mean, I know as a parent you're supposed to think of your kids first and stuff, but, like, that's just a huge jump from just taking care of yourself and then having to take care of a kid. My mum, she's always stayed in Ghana. She sees what I'm doing and knows, but she doesn't fully understand."

"My dad was with me for the whole process, and he was very supportive of what I was doing. If it wasn't for my dad and the support that he gave me, I really would not be here. Having that support and him paying the money monthly for me to keep skating -- like the skates and the travel and all that stuff -- I'm so grateful for that." (olympics.com, 1 Mar 2021; espn.com, 1 Feb 2019)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

Eighth in the mixed team relay and ninth in the 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

First female African American to represent the USA in short track at the Olympic Winter Games.

First African American woman to qualify for a USA Olympic speed skating team.

Second-ever African-born USA Olympian.