Early Life and Introduction to Speedskating
Maame Biney was born in Accra, Ghana in 2000. At age five, she moved with her father to live in Virginia, U.S. A few years later, Biney was taken by her father to speedskating lessons as an outlet for her energetic personality.
She quickly took to the sport and showed immense talent, transitioning from figure skating to short-track speedskating.
Making U.S. Olympic History
In 2018, at just 18 years old, Biney made history by becoming the first Black woman to qualify for the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.
She competed in the 500m short track event at the Pyeongchang Olympics, advancing to the quarterfinals after a strong second-place finish in her opening heat.
Though new to the highest level of competition, Biney held her own against world-class skaters nearly twice her age. Her pioneer status as the young Black female face of U.S. speedskating was cemented.
Emerging as an Elite Skater
In the years since her barrier-breaking Olympic debut, Biney has rapidly ascended to become one of America’s top short-track speed skaters.
She won two golds at the 2019 World Junior Championships, claimed an individual World Cup medal, and recently dominated the U.S. Championships by winning three events.
Now 21, the experienced Biney heads toward a second Olympics with maturity and momentum on her side. She remains a role model for young girls of color while boldly speaking out on issues like Black Lives Matter.
Once unsure of belonging, Maame Biney is now proof that limitless potential exists beyond the limits unjustly imposed on others. Five years ago, she redefined assumptions – and she’s only getting started.
