Erin Jackson Favored To End US Speedskating Drought In China

Feb 10, 2022, 12:38 AM

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

BEIJING (AP) — Erin Jackson shocked herself by making the U.S. Olympic speedskating team four years ago.

She’d only been on the ice four months. Now she’s the favorite to win the 500 meters in Beijing.

The former inline and roller derby skater from sunny Florida has made huge strides since 2018.

Jackson is the first Black woman to win a World Cup race. She dominated this season by winning four of the eight races and medaling in two others.

Jackson slipped at the U.S. trials and finished third but Brittany Bowe gave up her spot in the 500 to Jackson and says her friend is at the top of her game and will show the world in Beijing.

Jackson attended the University of Florida but currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah.

HISTORY!

Erin Jackson took first place in the women's 500m in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, becoming the first Black American woman to win a speed skating World Cup race.@ErinJackson480 @USSpeedskating // @OnHerTurf pic.twitter.com/gD9L0vFMbA

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) November 12, 2021

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Just a year after Japan’s summer Olympics, the Games are back for a winter show in Beijing, China. The unusually short gap between Games is due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Strict precautions and enforced virus prevention protocol are in place to help keep athletes, coaches and personnel safe.

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