The US Olympic speedskating team already made history this year

A black woman is now on the U.S. Olympic speedskating team. Maame Biney recently qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics — making her the first black woman and only the second black speedskater to ever join the U.S. team.

The 17-year-old is originally from Ghana.

"Since speedskating or any ice sport isn't an option back in Africa, I would just tell all the little kids back there just to find something that you love," Biney told Voice of America.

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Biney grew up in Virginia, where she first got into figure skating. Her speed got her some attention.

"The first day she got on the ice, I was scared, you know. I thought she was going to break her head open," said Biney's father, Kweku Biney.

So just how fast is Biney? Fast enough to beat former Olympians in a qualifying round. And as of the qualifying races, her personal best for 500 meters — or just over 0.3 miles — is 43.161 seconds.

Biney and the rest of the team will compete in South Korea this winter.