Each Games has its beautiful stories. This is definitely part of it. Crowned Olympic champion in the 500m speed skating, American Erin Jackson became the first black woman to win gold in this discipline. An event that the United States had not won since 1994 and the title of Bonnie Blair in Lillehammer (Norway). On the Beijing ice rink, the Floridian put on a medal of which she might never have seen the color. During the national qualifications for the Beijing Olympics, Erin Jackson made a small mistake, slipped and finished 3rd. Insufficient to validate his ticket for the Games. A surprising underperformance since Jackson monopolizes the head of the world ranking in the discipline.
However, the 29-year-old skater did indeed represent the star-spangled banner in the Chinese capital. Winner of the qualifying series, her best friend Brittany Bowe, already qualified in the 1000m and 1500m, decided to give her her place for the 500m so that she might participate in this Olympiad. “I knew deep down that I would have done whatever it took – if I had my say – to get Erin to the Olympics. I hope we will have three places at the time of the Games, but for the moment, the only way that Erin participates in the Olympics is if one of us gives up our place to her, ”said to the Bowe era. A gift that is worth gold, in the literal sense of the term since Erin Jackson won the supreme award this Sunday.
Still a neophyte 6 years ago
With this title, she becomes the first African-American athlete to win gold in this discipline. A destiny that few predicted for her when the young Erin Jackson preferred rollerblades to skates. It was not until 2016 that the Floridienne entered an ice rink for the first time. On a video, we can see her treading the ice for the first time with the relative assurance of any beginner.
A little less than 6 years later, ice cream no longer holds any secrets for her. This Sunday, she adorned herself with the precious golden metal ahead of the Japanese Miho Takagi and the Russian Angelina Golikova. A decidedly inspiring trajectory.
