The U.S. bobsled team for the 2018 Winter Olympics was announced this week, and it features a diverse lineup, with a number of bobsledders of color.

On the men’s side, these athletes include Hakeem Abdul-Saboor, Nicholas Taylor and Christopher Kinney.

On Instagram, Abdul-Saboor regularly encourages his followers to work hard towards their goals in posts like this one:

Decide what it is you want. Write it down. Make a plan and work on it EVERY SINGLE DAY!! #sundaymotivation #planning #success #bemotivated #stayfocused #goals #timemanagement #stayaccountable #relaxmode #gymmotivation #aspiringmodel #staylean #asthetics #fitness #shredz #athlete #abs

A post shared by Hakeem (@has_fitness) on Oct 9, 2016 at 1:17pm PDT

This week, however, the soon-to-be Olympian wrote that he is “lost for words” over the announcement, and promised his country that he would “work hard to be my best at the Olympic Games.”

I am honored to announce that i was named to the 2018 Olympic bobsled Team and will be representing team USA in febuary. I will competing in both two man and four man at the games with my pilot @bobsledr and teammates @kai_kun24 and @sam_michener. This journey has been crazy at times but also amazing and i just want to thank everyone for all of your help and support along the way. I could not have made it with out you. Thanks to my strength coach @drbraddeweese for introducing me to this sport and helping me become the best bobsledder i can be. I'm still at a lost for words right now but am excited to continue to grind it out and work hard to be my best at the Olympic games.To my friends and family who have been nothing but supportive in this journey, I am forever grateful. Thank you! * * * * #qualified #olympics #teamusa #bodybuilding #npc #igfit #vision #fitness #roadtopyeongchang #nutrition #diet #healthy #fitbodies #motivation #instagood #aesthetics #exercise #strong #imadeit #gymrat #motivation #hardwork #healthylifestyle #fitspiration #gym #swole #USA #bobsleigh #bobsled

A post shared by Hakeem (@has_fitness) on Jan 15, 2018 at 8:12am PST

WTVR CBS 6, a station in Abdul-Saboor’s hometown of Powhatan, Virginia spoke to his football coach at the University of Virginia College at Wise, who said, “His speed, strength and athletic ability will make him a great addition to he bobsled team. Hakeem is probably the best all-around athlete I have ever coached.”

After the announcement, Kinney wrote on Instagram, “my childhood dream came true today.”

I am extremely excited to announce that my childhood dream came true today, and I was named to the 2018 Olympic Team. It’s extremely humbling to represent my country and push alongside my teammates. Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes. I especially want to thank @drdeweese and @sportscienceed for training and supporting me every step of the way with coaching and a place to go to school and train. Thanks to my family for getting behind me and supporting me while I pursue my dream. The work begins now! 今日は子供の頃からの夢が叶って、オリンピック代表に選ばれました！応援とサポートしてくれた民さんに感謝しております！これからの応援も宜しくお願いします。 @teamusa @etsu @georgetownathletics @hoyastrength @crossfitalpharetta @alpharotary #hardworkpaysoff #hardwork #olympics #sliding2pc18 #grind #teamwork #letsgo #hoya #hoyasaxa

A post shared by Chris Kinney クリス木ニー (@kai_kun24) on Jan 15, 2018 at 5:15am PST

On the women’s side, Elana Meyers Taylor, who happens to be married to Nicholas Taylor, made history by becoming the first woman to represent the U.S. in three Olympic Games, the Neighbor News reports.

Meyers Taylor, who is the number two driver in the world, wrote on Twitter, “third times [sic] a charm!”

Aja Evans, Meyers Taylor’s teammate, celebrated her inclusion on the team with a quick Olympic photoshoot, writing, “Mondays aren’t so bad after being named to the 2018 USA Olympic team!”

Mondays aren’t so bad after being named to the 2018 USA Olympic Team ???? ????

A post shared by Aja Evans (@ajalevans) on Jan 15, 2018 at 9:25am PST

Lauren Gibbs was similarly overjoyed:

“You’ll never forget the day they told you, you were going to be an Olympian” -@johndalyusa For me, that day was yesterday! ????????????❤️???????? . . ????: @mollychoma . . #olympian #roadtopyeongchang #bobsled #olympics #winter #athlete #love #sport #grateful #thankyou #itsforamerica @usabs @teamusa @espnw @whoop @gettysport @kelloggsus @lauras_lean @workingagainstgravity @altis @nbcolympics

A post shared by Lauren Gibbs TeamUSA Bobsled???????? (@lagibbs84) on Jan 14, 2018 at 8:30am PST

Their teammate, Kehri Jones, told Elite Daily that she is well aware of just how important it is to be a black face in winter sports.

“You can’t help but notice people don’t see people like you all the time,” Jones said.

And Briauna Jones felt the same, telling the News & Observer, “Being part of a largely African American team and seeing other winters sports becoming more diverse allows us to paint our own picture and show our resilience. Our representation will serve as a domino effect for the next generation of athletes of color to do more than they were ever told that they could accomplish.”

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