Image: giphy.com
When it comes to sporting events, the Winter Olympics don’t usually garner the same kind of attention in the Black community as other global events. Despite the glaring lack of diversity at the Winter Olympics, there are still several Black athletes who are representing their nations with pride and excelling at a wide variety of sports. So if you need a reason to tune in to the ongoing winter games, here are a few faces you can look out for.
Erin Jackson: The American athlete only started speed skating on ice in 2017 and in just five years has made history as the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the sport.
Video: Alive
Jamaica’s bobsled team: As one of the most memorable stories to ever come out of the Winter Olympics, Jamaica famously debuted at the bobsled event in 1988. This year, after a 24-year absence the country has qualified yet again to compete and give us all another reason to rewatch the classic movie Cool Runnings.
Video: PBS News
Mialitiana Clerc: The Alpine skier first competed at the winter games in 2018. At the time she was the first woman to represent an African country at the Winter Olympics, and this year returns to the event once again.
Video: France24
Samuel Ikpefan: Nigerians are never one’s to miss out on a party! Ikpefan is the first cross-country skier in the country’s history to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics. He launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his participation at the games and is proudly representing #TeamNaija.
Video: CGTN Africa
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