Speedskater Erin Jackson Makes History at 2022 Winter Olympics After Best Friend Gives Up Her Spot

Florida native Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win Team USA a gold medal in speed skating. "Olympic champion," she wrote. "It's going to take me a while to process those words."

By Mike Vulpo Feb 13, 2022 11:32 PMTags
Watch: 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony: Must-See Moments

Super Bowl Sunday isn't the only sporting event with a champion.

On Feb. 13, Team USA's Erin Jackson earned her very first Olympic medal after winning gold in the women's 500-meter speedskating race thanks to a speedy time of 37.04 seconds.

If that wasn't impressive enough, the 29-year-old Florida native also made history by becoming the first Black woman to win Team USA a gold medal in speed skating.

"Olympic Champion," Erin wrote on Instagram after her race. "It's going to take me a while to process those words." 

She immediately received support from fans and athletes including the US Speed Skating team who wrote, "You deserve every second of this!!!! Soak it in."

As if the win wasn't sweet enough, many Olympic followers may remember the touching story of how Erin made it to Beijing. Despite being ranked No. 1 in the world, Erin stumbled during the Olympic trials, jeopardizing her chase for gold.

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2022 Beijing Winter Olympics: Candid Photos

But in an example of true sportsmanship, close friend and fellow skater Brittany Bowe didn't hesitate to offer Erin her spot.

SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images

"It's the right thing to do," Brittany told NBCSports.com in January. "There's not a doubt in my mind that she wouldn't do the same thing for me. She has earned her spot; she deserves it."

As for Erin's reaction to the gesture, she was blown away. "Just for her to do something like this for me, it's amazing," she said. "I'm just incredibly grateful. I'm really humbled, and she's just an amazing person."

For more must-see Olympic moments, keep scrolling!

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Ashley Cain-Gribble, Timothy Leduc

Figure skaters Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Leduc from Team USA have a moment of triumph after competing in the pair skating short program.

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Pavel Karnaukhov

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Brendan Kerry

Brendan Kerry from Team Australia made a victorious move during the Men's Single Free Skating event.

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Katharina Hennig, Victoria Carl

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Hammy McMillan

Team Great Britain's Hammy McMillan celebrated alongside teammate Bobby Lammie after winning the Men's curling semi-final match against Team USA.

Mariah Bell

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Franz-Josef Rehrl

Team Austria's Franz-Josef Rehrl displayed the best game face during the Ski Jumping First Round.

Sarah Nurse, Erin Ambrose

Erin Ambrose and Sarah Nurse from Team Canada cheered themselves on after defeating Team USA in the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match.

Erin Ambrose, Rebecca Johnston

Women's ice hockey players Erin Ambrose and Rebecca Johnston from Team Canada embraced in celebration at the medal ceremony.

Kamila Valieva

Kamila Valieva of Team ROC was overcome with emotion after skating during the Women Single Skating Short Program.

Anna Shcherbakova

Team ROC figure skater Anna Shcherbakova, who went on to win gold, threw a fist in the air as a victory move.

Kaori Sakamoto

Figure Skater Kaori Sakamoto from Team Japan celebrated by throwing her hands in the air during the Winter Olympic Games.

Silvana Tirinzoni, Alina Patz, Melanie Barbezat and Esther Neuenschwander

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Nikita Katsalapov

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Elana Meyers Taylor

Team USA's Elana Meyers Taylor shared a moment of gratitude after scoring a silver medal at the Women's monobob bobsleigh event.

Erin Jackson

Gold medallist Erin Jackson from Team USA is seen celebrating after the Women's 500m speed-skating event.

Mengtao Xu

Team China's Mengtao Xu was overcome with emotion after her gold-medal winning performance during the Women's Aerials Final.

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Mikaela Shiffrin

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Jia Zongyang

Aerial skier Jia Zongyang of Team China reacted after his completion of the Freestyle Skiing Mixed Team Aerials. During the event, the athlete front-flipped his attempt landing, leading the U.S. to claim gold.

Eric O' Dell, Maxim Noreau

Members of Team Canada's ice hockey team including Eric O' Dell and Maxim Noreau are seen reacting to their big win against Germany.

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