Erin Jackson Selected to Carry Team USA Banner at 2026 Winter Olympics
Olympic champion speed skater Erin Jackson has been chosen by her fellow athletes to serve as one of Team USA’s flag bearers for the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan‑Cortina, Italy. The announcement by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee spotlights Jackson’s excellence and influence as she prepares to lead Team USA onto the global stage.
Jackson will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, and the pair will proudly carry the U.S. flag into San Siro Stadium — kicking off the Olympic festivities on February 6, 2026.
Historic Legacy and Leadership on Ice
Now 33, Jackson enters her third Olympic Games after a groundbreaking career that includes becoming the first Black American woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics in the 500‑meter speed skating event at Beijing 2022. Her selection as flag bearer reflects both her athletic achievements and her role as an inspiring leader and role model for Team USA and the wider Olympic community.
Jackson said being chosen by her peers is “a tremendous honor” that represents not just her accomplishments — but the support of her **family, hometown, teammates, and all who believe in the power of sport to connect and inspire.”
Symbol of Unity at the Opening Ceremony
The Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony is one of the most symbolic and celebrated moments of the Olympic Games. Jackson’s role in this global showcase highlights her status as a respected ambassador for American athletics, while also amplifying representation and excellence from winter sports competitors.
As the world tunes in for the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Olympics, Jackson’s leadership promises to set an inspiring tone for Team USA’s pursuit of Olympic success.
