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:
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.”
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.”
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!”
Lauren Gibbs was similarly overjoyed:
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.”
