February 5, 2026
After profitable gold and making historical past on the 2022 Beijing Video games, Erin Jackson has been chosen as a US flag bearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Speedskater Erin Jackson, the primary Black girl to win a person gold medal at a Winter Olympics, is returning to the winter video games and can characterize the nation in a significant manner.
Jackson, together with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, an Military sergeant from a household with deep Italian roots, was chosen to carry the U.S. flag on the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, AP Information studies. Jackson, 33, and Del Duca, 34, have been chosen by their fellow Olympians, marking Jackson because the eighth U.S. speedskater to steer the staff into the Video games and Del Duca as the primary bobsledder in 70 years to take action.
“Being chosen to characterize the US on the world stage is an amazing honor,” Jackson stated in a press release.“
Chatting with reporters, Jackson recalled practising together with her staff when she received the information, which she described as “a extremely cool second.”
“I knew that I used to be form of in a listing of perhaps seven or so folks,” she stated in a clip shared on Instagram. “I didn’t know what my probabilities have been as a result of there have been lots of actually heavyhitters and actually worthy folks to hold the flag. So yeah, it was positively a shock.”
Jackson, a Florida native, rose to sports activities fame when she received a gold medal on the 2022 Beijing Video games within the 500 meters, making historical past as the primary Black girl from any nation to win gold in any occasion at any Winter Olympics, one thing she discovered to be very shocking.
“It was simply actually shocking, I assume, as a result of I felt like ‘How may that be?’” she stated forward of the Milan Cortina Video games. “When you consider what number of Winter Olympics we’ve had, I simply thought it was actually unusual. I hope folks can see my story and the tales of different Black ladies in winter sports activities after which, hopefully, we’ll have extra arising quickly.”
She now regards her function as a flag bearer as a “large honor,” proud to characterize each her household and her nation on such a grand stage.
“It’s a second that displays far multiple particular person — it represents my household, my teammates, my hometown, and everybody throughout the nation who believes within the energy of sport,” Jackson stated. “The Olympics remind us of the facility of sport to attach and encourage, and I’m proud to hold that ahead on the Olympic stage.”
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