Olympic Gold Winner Wants More Black Women in Winter Sports

Four years ago, speedskater Erin Jackson stood on the podium in Beijing, celebrating her gold medal in the 500 meters. She knew she'd won her first Olympic medal and ended a 28-year drought for American women in that event.

What she didn't know until days later shocked her. She was the first Black woman from any country to ever win an individual gold medal at any Winter Olympics, in any sport.

"I felt like, 'How could that be?'" Jackson told The Associated Press ahead of the Milan Cortina Games. "When you think about how many Winter Olympics we've had, I just thought it was really strange."

Jackson, who grew up in Ocala, Florida, switched from inline skating to ice skating just four months before qualifying for the 2018 Olympics. Her unlikely journey from sunshine to ice captivated fans, but her historical achievement revealed something deeper about winter sports.

"I hope people can see my story and the stories of other Black women in winter sports and then, hopefully, we'll have more coming up soon," she said. Jackson definitely does not want to be the last.

Fellow speedskater Brittany Bowe, a two-time bronze medalist, gave up her spot at the 2022 trials so Jackson could compete after Jackson slipped. An extra berth later opened up, allowing both friends to race in China.

"I can't imagine being a younger kid watching the Olympic Games and never seeing somebody that looked like me," Bowe said. "For her to be able to do that, and she is now that face for young Black girls to be able to look up and say, 'She can do it? Now I can do it,' it's monumental."

Now Jackson is taking action beyond the ice. She plans to create a foundation modeled after EDGE Outdoors, a Washington state group providing scholarships for minority women in skiing and snowboarding. She's already working with them reviewing scholarship applications and partnering with the Utah-based Sisters in Sports Foundation.

The Ripple Effect

Jackson identified the biggest obstacle: cost. Winter sports require expensive equipment, training facilities, and travel that price out many talented athletes. Her foundation will help break down these financial barriers.

She's competing in both the 500 and 1,000 meters at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games after winning both distances at trials, despite recovering from a torn hamstring just a month earlier. But bringing home more medals is only part of her mission now.

"It's really important to see people like you achieving something, because then maybe that can inspire you to try the same things," Jackson said. "I just always want to be a good example, or someone who other people can look to."

The face of winter sports is about to change, one scholarship and one inspired kid at a time.

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