71 Days Until The Winter Olympics: Thankful For Gold Medalist Erin Jackson — Reasons Revealed

This is the first in a series about Speed Skater Erin Jackson, who will attempt to win a gold medal for the second time in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

To the casual sports fan the name Erin Jackson likely does not sound familiar. To an Olympic sports fan, it may sound familiar, it may not. It is for certain that as of right now, Erin Jackson is not as known as Bonnie Blair,  Eric Heiden or Apolo Anton Ohno. 

As we sit down on this perfect Thanksgiving Day day and count our blessings, we need to ask, “why?” 

The History Making Gold Medal From 2022 

 In 2022, Jackson became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Olympics in  Beijing. Jackson won the 500m speed skating race. 

Let’s clarify and restate this: Not the first in the 500m. Not the first in speed skating. Not the first from the United States. The first. The very first Black women to win a gold medal in an individual event in any Winter Olympics. A Winter Olympic history that goes back to 1924. 

Said Jackson about the history making accomplishment: “That was a really surprising stat because I thought, ‘How could that even be true? We’ve had the Winter Olympics for so long, how has there not been another African American gold medalist?”

Why Isn’t Jackson A Household Name? 

In the era of documentaries, social media and other outlets  that make a sport or someone famous, it is mind-boggling that Jackson is not a household name. In the past, sponsorships were the key to getting “the brand” out there, and making it grow and become famous.

If you want to go old school, think about Dan O’Brien, an unknown (at the time) American decathlete that was thrust into stardom based on a $30 million “Dan and Dave” Reebok  marketing  campaign. 

Or, think about the sports documentaries. Think about all the “added”  race fans because of the Formula 1: Drive to Survive series on Netflix. The PGA Golfers that were featured on Full Swing.  Heck, the NIL era makes Arch Manning rich and famous before he even throws a pass in a college game.  

Here is the point: If a studio or company wants to make you famous, they can. O’Brein was a nobody, and made famous for his Olympic potential. Jackson, meanwhile, is a somebody who has accomplished something big, and many of us, perhaps most of us, have not heard of her. 

Jackson takes the high road on this. She was quoted about the topic in the Guardian: “The thing with Olympic sports is that – how do I say it diplomatically? – people don’t care a whole lot as soon as the Olympics are over. Right after the Games, it’s tough. Where’s the money coming from? How are we going to keep paying rent? Because it does go kind of dark after the Games. Everyone forgets about you.”

That is well spoken diplomatically like a person who is still vying for the opportunity to gain endorsements.  

Jackson Gets Another Opportunity in 2026

We cannot go backwards. The iron was hot in 2022, and nobody chose to seize on the opportunity to better their brand, or provide a well known inspirational documentary on Jackson.  It is time to focus on what is next. What can be done to thrust Jackson into the spotlight that will bring her the proper fame and compensation she deserves? Well, the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is the answer. 

It is almost certain that Jakcson will represent Team USA in the Olympics. However there is the World Cup process to finish. It  began November 4 and has completed two of five events. In addition, there is a US Olympic qualifier in Milwaukee on January 2-5.  

So far so good, in two World Cup events, Jackson has been a top performer in the 500m despite battling injuries through most of the off season. Her next World Cup event is December 5 to 7 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.  

Time to be Thankful and Appreciative of the Accomplishments of Jackson 

There is nothing on the record that shows Jackson is disappointed with her place in history and the acknowledgement, or lack of, from the sponsors and the people that can make you famous, and financially secure. However, can’t we be disappointed for her? 

On this Thanksgiving Day, let’s be thankful for stars like Erin Jackson who trailblaze, continue to grind it out, continue to be a role model, and do not ask for much…even if she is deserving. 

Next in the series about Erin Jackson: After Transitioning From Inline Skating To Speed Skating In February 2017, She Qualified For The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Less Than A Year Later.