Florida Gators alumna Erin Jackson a US flag bearer at Winter Olympics
· Yahoo Sports
The University of Florida will not only be represented at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games this month — it will also have one of the US flag bearers for this year's Winter Games.
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Speedskater Erin Jackson, who graduated with honors from the Materials Science & Engineering program at UF and is originally from Ocala, will join bobsledder Frank Del Duca in carrying the American flag through the opening ceremonies. Team USA announced the pair on Tuesday in an exclusive announcement on the TODAY show.
“Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor,” Jackson said in a statement Tuesday from the USOPC. “It’s a moment that reflects far more than one individual — it represents my family, my teammates, my hometown, and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport. The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I’m proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”
Jackson will become the eighth U.S. speedskater to carry out the honor.
The UF alumna made history at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she became the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games, taking the top spot in the women's 500-meter. Jackson will try to defend her 500-meter title while also competing in the 1,000-meter event this year.
Some of the events have already begun, but the 2026 Milan Cortina Games officially open on Friday, Feb. 6, and will run until Sunday, Feb. 22. The opening ceremony begins at 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast by NBC and Peacock.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida alumnus Erin Jackson named a US flag bearer at Winter Olympics