Erin Jackson is shifting focus to her specialty event after competing in her first 1000m race at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. The Team USA speed skater placed 6th in her Olympic 1000m debut on February 9, finishing just outside the medal positions. But Jackson has bigger plans ahead—she will defend the 500m Olympic title she won in Beijing against Kok on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Jackson carries special significance this Olympics as one of Team USA's flag bearers, becoming the first Black woman to hold that role at a Winter Olympic Games. She made history as the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at an Olympic Winter Games in 2022. Now, at 33 years old and competing in her third Winter Olympics, Jackson is embracing the pressure of defending her crown. She explained that pressure helps her push to the next level and find that fire, even as she navigates the demands of competing in two events.
Jackson's journey to Milan has been marked by growth both on and off the ice. She qualified for both the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events after winning at the U.S. Olympic trials in January. The 1000m represents new territory for the speed skater, who has spent much of her career focusing on the shorter 500m distance. Her sixth-place finish shows solid progress in an event she's still developing, but all eyes are now on her return to the 500m—the distance where Jackson has already made her mark as a champion and trailblazer. Like other Team USA Winter Olympics athletes competing at Milan-Cortina 2026, Jackson carries the hopes of her nation into each race.