Erin Jackson is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. At the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the Ocala, Florida native cemented her place in history by becoming the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal in speed skating. But for Jackson, being an Olympic champion is just one chapter in a career defined by versatility, mental fortitude, and a commitment to inspiring the next generation.
Before trading her roller blades for ice skates, Jackson was an accomplished member of Team USA Roller Derby. Since her historic speed skating win, she has even conquered the grueling challenges of Special Forces: World’s Toughest, proving her competitive edge extends far beyond the ice rink.
Now, as she sets her sights on the Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Jackson joins the elite 11-athlete roster for Team Xfinity, leveraging her platform with the official communications service provider of Team USA to focus on her preparation while driving greater diversity in winter sports.
In this exclusive interview, Jackson discusses the critical role of staying connected during intense training, the biggest lesson she’s carried from roller derby and reality television to Olympic prep, and how she’s using the relaunch of the Making Team USA presented by Xfinity platform to pull back the curtain on the journey to the 2026 Games.
As the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal, you are now part of the 11-athlete roster for Team Xfinity. How do you leverage your platform and this partnership to not only focus on your next goal but also to inspire greater diversity in winter sports?
Representation matters, and I’m excited that through my partnership with Xfinity I’m able to share my journey with more fans. Team Xfinity is a diverse group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and we are showing the next generation, especially those who may not often see themselves in winter sports, that they belong here too.
Xfinity provides a $2,026 resource to every qualifying athlete to help them “stay connected to loved ones and fans.” In the isolation of high-level training, how critical is this focus on connectivity, and what does it mean to you to have that support from a partner like Xfinity?
Staying connected is so important, and when it comes to preparing for competition, those moments of connection make all the difference. Training can be intense and isolating, so for Xfinity to support not just myself but all Team USA athletes, it’s special. To have a partner that prioritizes supporting us as individuals is super meaningful.
You are known as a versatile athlete – an Olympic gold medalist in speed skating, a member of Team USA Roller Derby, and the winner of FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest. What is the biggest lesson or skill you’ve carried from one of these varied pursuits to your preparations for the Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026?
The biggest thing I’ve learned across all those experiences is that preparation gives you confidence. When I know I’ve put in the work physically, everything at the start line becomes mental. I’m usually pretty calm before a race, sometimes I even have to bring my intensity up. Roller derby, speedskating, and even Special Forces all taught me how to stay composed under pressure, commit to the moment, and push through discomfort. And on the flip side, they taught me how important recovery is. Time at home with my pets and a quiet night on the couch, that mental reset is part of my training just as much as anything on the ice.
Xfinity is relaunching the Making Team USA presented by Xfinity platform to showcase the qualification journeys of athletes. How important is it for fans to see the qualification and training process, not just the final competition, and what unique aspects of your own journey are you hoping to share through this storytelling initiative?
Speed skating is a sport most people only see every four years, so showing the process matters. The training, the travel, the good days and the tough days… that’s the reality of what it takes to make an Olympic team. Our sport is incredibly technical and a little different from what people expect with the blades, the track, the speed. Sharing that side of the journey helps people connect with it earlier and understand what’s behind those 36-second races. I’m excited to give people a closer look and bring them along for the whole road to Milano Cortina. Knowing people are following and supporting us means a lot.