Speedskater Erin Jackson’s respect and status among her peers has earned the three-time speedskating Olympian, along with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, the honor of being the U.S. flagbearers at tomorrow’s 2026 Milan Cortina (Italy) Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
When Jackson went to her first Olympic Winter Games in 2018, she was a novice in the sport, having made the move from inline skating to speed skating one year prior. She entered the 2022 Olympics with loftier goals despite nearly not making the team. Determined to make the most of the opportunity given her by teammate Brittany Bowe, who gave up her spot in the 500-meter race to Jackson, she won gold in the women’s 500-meter long track event and became the first Black woman to win a medal in speed skating.
“My first Olympics was kind of a whirlwind of an experience and then my second one I was fortunate enough to be able to win the gold,” said Jackson. “This time around, I’ll be defending my gold medal in the 500 and then I’ll have another opportunity in the 1,000 meters. I’ve been working really hard on that one and we’ll see how that goes, as well.”
Despite injuries before this season and one mid-season, Jackson has medaled at two World Cup races. Heading to the Games, she said she was feeling good. She appreciates that speed skating is a sport where racers focus more on their own performances rather than competitor tactics.
“Each time I go out there, I’m just trying to do my personal best and hit all of my things that I’ve been working on,” said Jackson, whose family will be in attendance, something not possible back in 2022 due to COVID protocols. “I know that when it’s gametime I can always kind of show up, so I’m really looking forward to it. As far as the 1,000 meters, that’s been a new event for me on the world stage … I’m excited to get out there and show what I can do.”
At 33, Jackson is one of the older skaters on the speed skating team. A graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned a degree in material science and engineering, she understands that she must adapt accordingly.
“I have three disc herniations in my lower back, so that really changes how I can train and how I can prepare,” said Jackson. “I’ve been really fortunate to have amazing coaching staff and medical staff to help me kind of modify things along the way … I’m feeling super confident and excited to give it another go.”