Erin Jackson’s Olympic experiences have been full of milestones.In 2022, the long-track speed skater won her first gold medal. Now, in 2026, she was chosen by her peers to be one of two U.S. flag bearers at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.Jackson says the honor still feels surreal.”I knew that I was kind of on a list of maybe seven or so people,” Jackson said. “I didn’t know what my chances were because there were a lot of really heavy hitters and really worthy people to carry the flag.”Jackson’s teammates voted her in as someone to represent them all. She says it was her coach who delivered the news.”Our coach kind of sat us down on the edge of the ice and announced it to the team,” Jackson said. “It was just a really cool moment.”Jackson’s rise is a long way from her days in inline skating. In a relatively short amount of time, she transitioned to the ice with success, winning the 500-meter in Beijing in 2022.Now, she is a medal favorite in Milan.Jackson says she can already feel the excitement of the Games, and being named flag bearer only adds to it.”Just walking out into opening ceremonies, even without carrying the flag, is this amazing feeling,” Jackson said. “You realize you’re here, you’re at the Olympics, surrounded by all these incredible people who worked so hard to get there.”Joining Jackson as a U.S. flag bearer is bobsled pilot Frank Del Duca, who is of Italian heritage.The Milan Cortina Games mark Del Duca’s second appearance at the Winter Games.
Erin Jackson’s Olympic experiences have been full of milestones.
In 2022, the long-track speed skater won her first gold medal. Now, in 2026, she was chosen by her peers to be one of two U.S. flag bearers at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.
Jackson says the honor still feels surreal.
“I knew that I was kind of on a list of maybe seven or so people,” Jackson said. “I didn’t know what my chances were because there were a lot of really heavy hitters and really worthy people to carry the flag.”
Jackson’s teammates voted her in as someone to represent them all. She says it was her coach who delivered the news.
“Our coach kind of sat us down on the edge of the ice and announced it to the team,” Jackson said. “It was just a really cool moment.”
Jackson’s rise is a long way from her days in inline skating. In a relatively short amount of time, she transitioned to the ice with success, winning the 500-meter in Beijing in 2022.
Now, she is a medal favorite in Milan.
Jackson says she can already feel the excitement of the Games, and being named flag bearer only adds to it.
“Just walking out into opening ceremonies, even without carrying the flag, is this amazing feeling,” Jackson said. “You realize you’re here, you’re at the Olympics, surrounded by all these incredible people who worked so hard to get there.”
Joining Jackson as a U.S. flag bearer is bobsled pilot Frank Del Duca, who is of Italian heritage.
The Milan Cortina Games mark Del Duca’s second appearance at the Winter Games.
