Erin Jackson Wants More Black Women on Olympic Podiums

When Erin Jackson crossed the finish line at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she knew she'd won her first gold medal. What she didn't realize until days later was that she'd made history as the first Black woman from any country to win an individual Winter Olympics gold medal in any sport.

"It was just really surprising," Jackson told The Associated Press. "How could that be?"

The Florida native is now 33 and heading to her third Olympics in Milan Cortina. She's still the only Black athlete among 21 speedskaters on the U.S. long track and short track teams. That's exactly what she wants to change.

Jackson's path to the ice started in Ocala, Florida, where she grew up as a top inline skater. She switched to ice skating just four months before qualifying for the 2018 Olympics. By 2022, she was standing on the highest podium, looking out at a sport that had taken nearly a century to crown a Black woman champion.

"I can't imagine being a younger kid watching the Olympic Games and never seeing somebody that looked like me," said teammate Brittany Bowe, who famously gave up her spot in the 500 meters at the last Olympics so Jackson could compete. An extra berth opened up, allowing both to race.

Jackson didn't waste the opportunity. She claimed gold and immediately became a role model she wishes she'd had growing up.

The Ripple Effect

Jackson isn't just talking about change. She's already working on solutions. After her competitive career ends, she plans to launch a foundation modeled after EDGE Outdoors, a Washington state group that provides scholarships for minority women in skiing and snowboarding.

She's also partnered with the Utah-based Sisters in Sports Foundation, which offers mentorship and funding for female athletes with disabilities. Jackson knows the biggest obstacle isn't talent or determination.

"One of the biggest issues with winter sports is there is a really big barrier to entry around cost," she explained. "They're really expensive sports to get into. That kind of limits the talent we can have and the people who can give it a shot."

Back in Milan Cortina, Jackson will compete in both the 500 and 1,000 meters after winning both distances at trials. She did it despite recovering from a torn left hamstring just a month earlier. Her coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, remembers Beijing differently than most observers. "We didn't even think about that at the time," he said about the historic nature of her win. They were focused on one thing: skating the fastest.

But Jackson understands now that speed isn't her only legacy. "It's really important to see people like you achieving something, because then maybe that can inspire you to try the same things," she said.

The ice may be cold, but Jackson's determination to warm it up for the next generation burns bright.