Maame

Biney

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Short Track 

• Daughter of Kweku Biney

• Began figure skating at age six and later switched to speed skating

Biographical Information

Maame Biney is an American short track speed skater known for her dynamic presence on the ice and her infectious positivity. Born in Accra, Ghana, she moved to the United States at the age of five to join her father, Kweku Biney, in Reston, Virginia. Her skating journey began at age six with figure skating lessons, starting as an outlet for her electric energy. Recognizing her natural speed, a coach suggested she try speed skating, a transition that set the stage for her future success. 

Biney's talent quickly became evident. She won a bronze medal in the 500-meter at the 2017 World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships. Later that year, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to qualify for a U.S. Olympic speed skating team, competing in the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. 

Off the ice, Biney uses her platform to support causes important to her such as the Black Lives Matter movement. She also visits students at her childhood schools in Reston, hoping to pass her determination and passion on to the kids.

Olympic Experience

• 2-time Olympian
  • Olympic Games Beijing 2022, 8th (2000m Relay - Mixed, 3000m Relay - Women), 9th (1000m - Women), 13th (500m - Women)
  • Olympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, 14th (500m - Women), 31th (1500m - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – 8th (3000m Relay - Women)
• Years of participation: 3000m Relay - Women 2023; 1000m - Women 2018, 2019, 2022; 1500m - Women 2018, 2019, 2022; 500m - Women 2018, 2019, 2022; Overall - Women 2018, 2019, 2022
• Top finish: – 2019 (1500m - Women)