Erin Jackson: I hope my speed skating gold medal does something for the sport after victory
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Updated 13/02/2022 at 21:58 GMT
500 metre speed skating gold medal winner Erin Jackson was delighted with her success at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. She hopes that her win is more than personal group, though, and wants the example she set to inspire more people with diverse backgrounds to succeed in the speed skating disicpline.
'Absolutely wonderful!' - Jackson seals stunning gold in 500m speed skating
Erin Jackson hopes that her gold medal success will inspire more people from ethnic minorities to succeed at future Winter Olympics.
The 29-year-old Floridian is optimistic that her speedskating medal - the first for a black woman - will open the floodgates for more winners.
Jackson claimed gold in the 500 metres on Sunday, and while it was a welcome success for the US the individual context is perhaps more special.
“I just hope it will do something for the sport,” she said. “I always try to be a good example.”
Teammate Brittany Bowe, who gave up her place to allow Jackson’s 500m run, embraced her after her win.
“She hugged me and we cried,” she explained. “She said she’s really proud of me and I said a lot of thank yous.”
Her coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, was full of praise.
“You’re an Olympic champion,” Shimabukuro said to his athlete.
Jackson reflected on her path to success.
“When I won the first World Cup, I was like, ‘OK that’s strange. Let’s see where it goes,’” Jackson said. “Then I won another and I was like, ‘Well, maybe I can do this.’”
“It’s been a wild ride,” she said, “but that makes it even sweeter.”
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