Golden moment: Jackson 1st Black woman speedskating medalist
Associated PressBEIJING — Erin Jackson bolted off the line, her powerful legs attacking the ice, her destiny awaiting at the end of a frenetic dash around Beijing’s magnificent speedskating oval. “Hopefully, more people will see this and be like, ‘Ohhh, maybe I should try some of these winter sports.’” Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis was among those lauding Jackson’s groundbreaking victory. “If others will come, they’ll be good.” Jackson won with a time of 37.04 seconds, giving the American speedskating program its first medal of the Beijing Games, its first individual medal since 2010, and its first victory in the women’s 500 since Bonnie Blair in 1994. “When it comes to the 500, it’s a matter of hundredths and sometimes thousandths of a second,” said Ryan Shimabukuro, Jackson’s coach when she’s on ice. “Then I won another and I was like, ‘Well, maybe I can do this.’” She lived up to the billing in Beijing, becoming the first American woman to win an individual speedskating medal since 2002.
History of this topic
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson says she’s out of the Olympic 100 meters and will focus on the 200
The Hindu
Jackson celebrates 200 win at worlds after Tokyo heartache
Associated PressShericka Jackson and Yohan Blake win Jamaican 100m titles in season-best times
The Hindu
Erin Jackson of US 1st Black woman to win speedskating gold
Associated Press
Speedskater Jackson slips, misses US Olympic team in 500
Associated Press
Jackson becomes 1st Black American woman to win World Cup
Associated PressDiscover Related
