American speedskaters Erin Jackson and Jordan Stolz are prominent figures on Team USA's roster heading into the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set for February 6-22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.[1][2]

Speed skating events will take place at the Speed Skating Oval in the Milan Skating District.[3]

Jackson won gold in the women's 500-meter event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics on February 5, 2022, becoming the first Black woman to claim an Olympic gold medal in speedskating.[4][5]

Two days earlier, on February 4, 2022, Jackson co-carried the U.S. flag with Nathan Chen during the Beijing opening ceremony.[6]

A former inline skater, Jackson transitioned to ice speedskating and has competed in ISU World Cup events, maintaining competitive form.[4]

Jordan Stolz, born March 21, 2004, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, won gold medals in the men's 500m and 1,000m events at the 2024 ISU World Speed Skating Sprint Championships in Inzell, Germany, on March 1-3, 2024, securing the overall sprint title.[7][8]

Stolz also claimed gold in the 500m at the 2024 ISU World Speed Skating Single Distances Championships in Calgary, Canada, on February 15-18, 2024.[7]

Both athletes train with U.S. Speedskating and are positioned as medal contenders in sprint distances at the upcoming Games.[4][7]

Sources

1. Olympics.com
   Milano Cortina 2026
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/milano-cortina-2026/
2. Milano Cortina 2026 Official Site
   Dates
   Accessed October 2024
   https://milanocortina2026.org/en/
3. Olympics.com
   Milano Cortina 2026 Venues - Speed Skating
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.olympics.com/en/olympics/milano-cortina-2026/venues/
4. Olympics.com
   Erin Jackson Athlete Profile
   Accessed October 2024
   https://olympics.com/en/athletes/erin-jackson
5. Team USA
   History Made: Erin Jackson Becomes First Black Woman to Win Speedskating Gold
   5 February 2022
   https://www.teamusa.com/news/2022/february/05/history-made-erin-jackson-becomes-first-black-woman-to-win-speedskating-gold
6. Team USA
   Nathan Chen, Erin Jackson Named U.S. Flag Bearers for Beijing 2022 Opening Ceremony
   2 February 2022
   https://www.teamusa.com/news/2022/february/02/nathan-chen-erin-jackson-named-us-flag-bearers-beijing-2022-opening-ceremony
7. International Skating Union (ISU)
   Results: ISU World Speed Skating Championships Sprint 2024
   March 2024
   https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/events/sprint/25091-world-speed-skating-championships-sprint-2024
8. ISU
   World Speed Skating Championships Sprint Conclude with Stunning Performances
   3 March 2024
   https://isu-skating.sport/isu-news/news/isu-world-speed-skating-championships-sprint-conclude-with-stunning-performances/