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'An inspiration': The single dad behind Olympic speed skater Maame Biney

Maame Biney made history when she was 17 years old as the first black woman to qualify for a U.S. Olympic speed skating team. Her father, an immigrant from Ghana, raised her on his own and helped make her skating career what it is today.
Mamme and Kweku Biney (Photo: Francis Abbey)

RESTON, Va. — As 17-year-old Maame Biney made history as the first black woman to qualify for a U.S. Olympic speed skating team, her father cried in the stands.

“I was like, wow, so this is it,” Kweku Biney said.

“All the hard work comes to this day.”

Kweku has been by his daughter’s side since the beginning, though their story began thousands of miles away from that Olympic ice rink in Utah.

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Maame was born in Accra, Ghana, and lived there until she was 5 years old. When Kweku moved to the U.S. in the 1980s, Maame flew to Maryland for what was only supposed to be a summer visit.

“I just wanted her to come here for the summer because I knew it was going to be hard for me to take care of her with my job and living situation,” he said.

But Maame quickly took to life in the U.S. and decided she wanted to stay. Kweku was initially nervous about raising his daughter alone in a new country, but he found comfort in his faith.

“God answered all those questions for me,” Kewku said.

When they were driving one day, Kewku noticed an advertisement that said “learn to skate.” He asked Maame if she wanted to try, and even though she wasn’t sure what skating was, she gave it a go.

The rest was history.

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Maame was a natural on the ice, but she skated too fast for figure skating. Her instructors suggested speed skating instead.

Young Maame Biney learning to skate

She trained for years and rose through the ranks of the skating world, earning medals at the Junior World Championships and eventually qualifying for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics in the 500 and 1500-meter short track events.

In South Korea, Maame finished 14th in the 500m and 31st in the 1500m. She plans on competing in the 2022 Olympic Games.

Credit: Harry How
Maame Biney of the United States competes during the Ladies' 500m Short Track Speed Skating quarterfinal on day four of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

As she turned heads on the rink, her father always cheered her on from the stands, sometimes with an infamous sign that reads, “Kick some hiney, Biney.”

“It was really, really nice to know that he was there cheering me on and knowing that whatever my outcome was, that he’s still going to be proud of me and that he’s still going to love me for even being there,” Maame said.

Kweku said it’s important to him to be a mentor for his daughter because he didn’t have that kind of support as a child.

“I just want to be there for my kids,” he said.

But his support was never overbearing, Maame said. When she thought about quitting the sport, he never forced her to continue.

“He allowed me to be happy, and he allowed me to say when I want to stop skating,” Maame said, though she ultimately continued competing.

Maame said her father’s support is a model for other single parents.

“He’s… also an inspiration to other single parents and letting them know that … if [he] can do this raising a girl, then you can do this raising your son or daughter,” she said.

“I feel inspired by him, and I’m proud of him for being able to raise me.”

What a weekend!! I’m still in awe that I’m going to the Olympics😱!! I want to start off by thanking God. I am so sure that none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for him. If God hadn’t given my dad the strength to wake up, and take me to practice, I wouldn’t be here today. I also want to thank God for giving me the passion to do this🙏🏾. Daddy. I know that I can be a pain at times and not appreciate what you’ve done for me. I do appreciate you. When I’m older I want to be just like you. Wanting to help people, having an amazing heart, being dedicated, and being the best parent ever. Scratching the surface to any one of those things would already make me a great person. Thank you for letting me push myself, Werid, right? But it worked. And b/c of you, I will keep pushing myself. Hehe I love you Daddy❤️ This one is to my host family. Letting me stay with you guys for 6 months have been amazing! You guys have really made me feel like part of your family! Mrs. Melissa, you really have been a mother to me and I will forever love you and keep you close to my heart. Mr. Robert, hehe thank you for those Cafe Rio trips😂And Abby. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to become your big sister. Love you guys always and forever🧡 This one goes out to the whole skating community! You guys have made a huge impact on my dad and I. @dominionspeedskating I love you guys tons! We’ve been through so much together. Tears, laughter, and everything in between. I honestly can’t thank everyone who has helped us b/c there’s SOO many people. You guys know who you are😋much love💛 This last one is to my friends (from school) who got that I couldn't do anything b/c I had a goal. I’m so happy that you guys didn’t abandon me😂. I love how you guys tried to understand. It really means a lot to me💚. Also, to my church family for praying for me for years!! Without your prayers for safe travels and successful competitions I honestly don’t believe that my dad and I would have made it this far💙 It’s been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to see what happens!! Hehe I’m super excited to go to PyeongChang, Korea and represent USA with the rest of the team🇺🇸🤟🏾😆!!

A post shared by Maame Afua Biney (@biney.biney) on

As Maame continues her skating career, the outcome of her races might not be certain, but one thing’s for sure—Kweku will be there, cheering her on, just as he did the races before.

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