NEW YORK (AP) — Erin Jackson, a speed skater, and Frank Del Duca, a bobsledder, have been selected as the U.S. flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday.
Jackson, 33, made history as the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games. Del Duca, a 34-year-old Army sergeant, is the first bobsledder in seven decades to have the honor of carrying the national flag during the opening ceremony.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced their selections on Tuesday. This marks Jackson’s third Olympic appearance and Del Duca’s second.
“It’s a tremendous honor to represent the United States on the world stage,” Jackson said. “This moment goes beyond me as an individual—it represents my family, teammates, hometown, and all the people across the country who believe in the unifying and inspiring power of sport. The Olympics highlight how sports can bring people together, and I’m proud to embody that on such a global platform.”
Del Duca, who has strong Italian heritage, finds this occasion particularly special since the Games are being held in Italy. The opening ceremony will be historic, featuring events across multiple Italian cities.
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor was chosen to carry the flag at the opening ceremony but had to postpone until the closing ceremony after testing positive for COVID-19. Speed skater Brittany Bowe stood in for her during the opening. Now, it’s Jackson’s moment to shine.
Fan Take: This news resonates beyond winter sports because it highlights the growing diversity and representation in American athletics, which basketball fans appreciate as they champion inclusion in all sports. Erin Jackson’s success can inspire young athletes of all backgrounds, fostering unity and strength that transcends the basketball court and enriches the sports community as a whole.
