These Winter Games will see a more diverse set of Olympians from all over the world.
The Winter Olympics Games start Feb 9 but U.S. bobsledder Aja Evans hopes to win gold and diversify the sport.
The 25-year-old from Chicago won a bronze medal in the 2014 Winter Games. Evans knows that winning the gold is bigger than her and is needed to help increase racial representation in a sport dominated by white people.
“I’m excited (about 2018 Winter Olympics) and I can’t wait to compete again,” said Evans.
The sport of bobsledding has already seen more diversity. Along with Evans, Maureen Ajoku, Lauren Gibbs, Briauna Jones, Kehri Jones, LoLo Jones and Elana Meyers make up the USA Women’s bobsledding team. All who are black women. Nigeria’s women’s bobsledding team made history by becoming the first African team to participate in the Games.
Other Winter Olympians Maame Biney became the first Black woman to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team, and 20-year-old Jordan Greenway became the first Black man to be a part of Team USA’s hockey team at the Winter Olympic Games.
Sources: NewsOne Now, TeamUSA
