Erin Jackson: Skating Into History With Grace, Grit, and Gold

Erin Jackson

Erin Jackson is an American long-track speed skater and former inline champion from Ocala, Florida. She made history at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics by winning gold in the women’s 500-meter event—the first Black woman ever to claim an individual Winter Olympic gold medal in any sport. Known for her explosive starts and technical precision, Jackson continues to lead Team USA into the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games. 

Key facts

• Born: September 19, 1992 (Ocala, Florida, USA)

• Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)

• Olympic medals: 1 Gold (2022 – 500 m)

• Coach: Ryan Shimabukuro

• Education: B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, University of Florida

From Inline to Ice

Jackson began inline skating at age 10 under coach Renée Hildebrand, collecting 47 national titles and 12 world-championship medals. She switched to ice in 2017 at age 25 and astonishingly qualified for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics after only four months of training. Her rapid mastery showcased the power-transfer and sprint mechanics honed through inline racing. 

Olympic Breakthrough

At Beijing 2022, teammate Brittany Bowe relinquished her 500 m spot so Jackson could compete after a slip in U.S. Trials. Jackson seized the chance, clocking 37.04 seconds to edge Japan’s Miho Takagi and end a 28-year U.S. gold drought in the 500 m. Her win—less than 0.1 seconds off the Olympic record—was widely celebrated as a milestone in both U.S. and Black sporting history. 

Continued Dominance

Since 2022, Jackson has secured consecutive ISU Four Continents Championships (2024 Salt Lake City, 2025 Hachinohe) and back-to-back World Cup overall titles in the 500 m. She qualified early for the 2026 Winter Olympics and set a new U.S. record (36.57 s) in 2025. Despite battling injuries and fibroid surgery, she remains a top medal contender. 

Advocacy and Legacy

Beyond competition, Jackson works to diversify winter sports through partnerships with Edge Outdoors and plans to launch a foundation supporting athletes of color in speed skating. She has earned multiple honors including the 2022 Eric Heiden Athlete of the Year and the Utah Olympic Female Athlete of the Year. Her blend of athletic achievement, academic drive, and representation continues to reshape the face of U.S. speed skating.