Erin Jackson becomes first African-American woman to win gold in speedskating

‘It feels amazing’: Erin Jackson, 29, becomes first African-American woman to take gold in speedskating at Beijing’s Winter Games

  • Erin Jackson took the gold medal in the women’s 500m speed skating race
  • Jackson, who ranked 24th at her first Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea four years ago beat Japan’s Miho Takagi and Russia’s Angelina Golikova 
  • ‘This medal means so much. It has been a tough couple of years and a tough beginning of this year. For this to come around like this, I am so happy,’ she said  
  • Jackson’s  story is a remarkable climb to gold. She only began Speedskating in September 2017 and has exceeded all expectations 

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Erin Jackson became the first African-American woman to be crowned Queen of the Olympic ice rink.

The 29-year-old speed skater of West Jordan, Utah, took the gold medal in the women’s 500m speed skating race.

The new star of speed, who ranked 24th at her first Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea four years ago, beat Japan’s Miho Takagi and Russian Olympic Committee’s Angelina Golikova, who had to settle for silver and bronze, respectively. 

Jackson said after her victory: ‘I wish I could describe how I feel. It is amazing.’

Erin Jackson became the first African-American woman to be crowned Queen of the Olympic ice rink

rin Jackson of the USA celebrates after winning the Women's Speed Skating 500m event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games

rin Jackson of the USA celebrates after winning the Women’s Speed Skating 500m event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games

Jackson, who ranked 24th at her first Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea four years ago beat Japan’s Miho Takagi and Russia's Angelina Golikova

Jackson, who ranked 24th at her first Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea four years ago beat Japan’s Miho Takagi and Russia’s Angelina Golikova

Jackson only began speedskating in September 2017, but quickly exceeded all expectations

Jackson only began speedskating in September 2017, but quickly exceeded all expectations 

‘This medal means so much. It has been a tough couple of years and a tough beginning of this year. For this to come around like this, I am so happy.’

Jackson had declared it her ambition to increase racial diversity in speed skating on arriving in Beijing.

She added: ‘I realize people kind of look [up] to people who look like them in terms of what they feel like they can do.’ 

‘So when people watch the Olympic Winter games and Roller Derby and other forms of skating, they might not see a lot of people of color out there.’

Erin had declared it her ambition to increase racial diversity in speed skating on arriving in Beijing

Erin had declared it her ambition to increase racial diversity in speed skating on arriving in Beijing

She said she realized people  look up to competitors who look like them in terms of what they feel like they can do

She said she realized people  look up to competitors who look like them in terms of what they feel like they can do

Jackson skates to victory to win the gold medal on day nine of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Speed Skating Oval

Jackson skates to victory to win the gold medal on day nine of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Speed Skating Oval

Jackson is the first American woman to win the event since Bonnie Blair in 1994

Jackson is the first American woman to win the event since Bonnie Blair in 1994

‘I’m looking forward to being one of those people the other young kids and people of color can look at and say “hey she’s out there doing it so we have some representation”.’

Her story is a remarkable climb to gold. She only began speedskating in September 2017. 

She exceeded all expectations by qualifying for the South Korean Olympic Winter games in 2018.

She said she wasn’t expecting to qualify of the Olympic trials, although it was an ambition of her to be a member of team USA. 

‘I just didn’t see it happening this quickly,’ she added.