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Ghana’s 17 year old Maame Briney has just made history by becoming the first black woman to be named among the United States Olympic speed skating team.
Ghanaian born-US based Briney, following a qualification contest which held on Saturday, 16th of December where she emerged winner in a 500 meter race at kearns, Utah, beating out strong competitors like Lana Ghering, Jessica Kooreman, Katherine Rheuter-Adamek made history by qualifying for the U. S speed skating team, a no mean feat, especially considering her young age.
Her victory in the short finals led to her qualification as the first black woman and also the youngest to make the team.
According to the Washington Post reports, While not the first black, she will be the first woman and youngest African to qualify for the United States Olympic team as compared to 19 year old Shana Davis, the first African-american to win an individual gold medal in the winter Olympics.
In a post qualification interview, emotion laden Briney expressed her delight at the feat.
“it’s a crazy moments I’ve been hoping for this since June. I’m so happy right now”.
The US Olympic website wrote about her feat, commending her for her efforts.
” in the women’s 500 meter, 17 year old maame Briney who was born in Ghana dominated from start to finish to become the first black woman named to the U.S Olympic speed skating team”
The 17 year old would be representing the United States at the 2018 Olympics which would take place in South Korea.
Well Done Maame Briney! We Celebrate You!
