>That reminds me that I was truly aggravated with NBC (and NPR) for referring to Shani Davis as "the first African-American man" to receive an individual Winter Olympic goal. It's my understanding that he was the first black man, American or not.

Hi Tamar. I've been googling for Olympic firsts for black athletes, but the best I can come up with is this list for African-Americans

Olympic medalist (Summer games): George Poage, 1904, won two bronze medals in the 200 m hurdles and 400 m hurdles.
Olympic gold medalist (Summer games): John Baxter "Doc" Taylor, 1908, won a gold medal as part of the 4 x 400 m relay team.
Olympic gold medalist (Summer games; individual): DeHart Hubbard, 1924, for the long jump; the first woman was Alice Coachman, who won the high jump in 1948.
Olympic medalist (Winter games): Debi Thomas, 1988, won the bronze in figure skating.
Olympic gold medalist (Winter games): Vonetta Flowers, 2002, bobsled.
Olympic gold medalist (Winter games; individual): Shani Davis, 2006, 1,000 m speedskating.

I can think of a few black-Canadian Winter Olympic Medalists (not firsts but just for interest)

Jerome Ignla for gold for Hockey.
Lascelles Brown silver to two man bobsled.