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Seba Johnson: the first black woman to ski at the Olympics
She competed at age 14 to become the youngest Alpine racer in Olympic history
12:05 PMSeba Johnson became the first black woman and youngest Alpine racer to ski at the Olympics when she competed for the U.S. Virgin Islands at age 14 in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta.
Born: May 1, 1973.
Her story: Johnson was born in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her family moved around, living in New Hampshire, Maine and Nevada. She began skiing at age 7. By age 14, she had competed in the giant slalom at her first Olympics. She became the first black skier to place in the top 30 in international competition at age 15 in the World Alpine Ski Championships. She returned to the Olympics in Albertville, France, in 1992, competing in the slalom and giant slalom. She retired that same year to work toward a degree in fine arts at Howard University. She has worked as an actor and a model.
Fast fact: Johnson is a longtime vegan and animal rights activist.
Quotable: “The first time I was on skis, I loved it and wanted to become a ski racer,” Johnson told United Press International.
The Undefeated will profile an athlete each day during Black History Month.