today in Black history - feb 19

Vonetta Flowers became the first Black gold medalist in the history of the Winter Olympic Games on February 19, 2002.

Alabama native Vonetta Flowers started off her career as a track and field athlete and later made history in the Winter Olympics. The first time a Black athlete won an Olympic gold medal in any sport was in 1908. It is incredible to think that it took another 94 years for a Black competitor to win Winter Olympic gold. Watch Vonetta Flowers' historic win here:

Learn more about Vonetta Flowers on her website. You can also listen to this BBC Sporting Witness program that includes an interview with Flowers discussing her athletic history and her historic win.