- Speed skater Erin Jackson is bringing home a gold medal in the 500-meter event, the Associated Press reports.
- Jackson is also the first Black woman to medal in speed skating at the Olympics.
- Jackson almost missed the games, but teammate Brittany Bowe offered up her spot in the event.
Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win an individual speed skating medal at the Winter Olympics on Sunday, The Associated Press reports. The 29-year-old is bringing home gold after her win in the 500-meter event.
According to the AP, the Florida native switched from inline skating, and roller derby skating, to speed skating before the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. She now joins fellow American Shani Davis as the only Black athlete to win Olympic medals in speed skating.
She's also won four of the past eight World Cups in the event and is considered one of the best speed skaters in the world.
Jackson almost missed her chance to participate at the Beijing Olympics after slipping during a qualifying race. Her time wasn't enough to nab a guaranteed bid, but teammate Brittany Bowe, who qualified for the 1500-meter, 1000-meter, and 500-meter events, gave up her spot for Jackson. The Americans later received a third spot in the 500-meter race and both skaters competed in the event.
"I want to see Brittany Bowe with a gold medal around her neck," Jackson told Insider's Meredith Cash. "And I want her to see me with one, too."
Bowe finished 16th in the event, according to NBC News.
Representatives for Jackson did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
