Source: VOANews.com

This month, Ghana-born teen Maame Biney qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team after finishing first in the women's 500-meter trial in Kearns, Utah. At age 17, she is the youngest speedskater on the U.S. team and the first African American woman to represent the country as a speedskater. Biney's achievements have earned her fans around the world, particularly in West Africa, where skating isn't common. She hopes girls watch her and become inspired to pursue their own dreams. Despite her accomplishments, the high schooler doesn't take herself too seriously. "I just hope that everyone sees how fun the sport is when you can just go fast and just be awesome. Not that I am awesome or anything, but just — you feel good about yourself, so yeah. Be proud of yourself. That's it," she said. Biney hopes to do more than just have fun when she competes at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February. Her event, the 500 meter, is the shortest and requires intense sprinting ability.