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Speed skaters Erin Jackson and Jordan Stolz proudly represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics last month.
Jackson, who was the first Black woman to win gold in speed skating when she did so at the 2022 Olympics, entered the Olympics as one of the flag bearers during the opening ceremonies. Even though she didn’t medal at these Games, she kept her head high throughout each speed skating event.
Stolz left the Milan Cortina Games with three medals. He won gold medals in the 500 and 1,000 meter races and a silver in the 1,500 meter race.
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Erin Jackson of the United States raises an American flag after winning the gold medal in the women’s 500-meter speed skating event at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, file)
The two stars of Team USA teamed up with Hershey’s for its “real gold” campaign before the start of the Games. Jackson and Stolz both received Hershey chocolate gold medals and appeared in commercials during the Olympics.
Jackson said in one of the campaign spots that “happiness is definitely more important than winning.” She told PK Press Club Digital how she kept that in mind while trying to maintain a competitive edge against the world’s best speed skaters.
“I think one thing I’ve always kept in mind and perspective is that winning isn’t everything and losing isn’t the end of the world,” Jackson said. “I think I have a more laid back attitude to what I do because, I don’t know, maybe because I didn’t grow up as an athlete. I grew up more as a student.
“Skating was primarily a hobby for me. I grew up doing it for fun. It’s still something that I love to do. So it’s all just a bonus, a really cool bonus, to be able to travel the world and do this for a living. I’m going to have a great time there no matter what and I feel like it gives me a little bit of calm before these events and knowing that no matter what happens, everything will be okay Well, winning is great, but losing is always something to learn and apply for next time.”
Erin Jackson of Team United States of America prepares to practice on day minus four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium on February 2, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Jackson shared what she learned from her experience this time around, considering she returned home without a medal.
“I think this one taught me a lot about resilience and bouncing back. I mean, the last few seasons have been a little tough for me with some injuries. I’ve had to deal with it and then this one, in particular, I lost a lot of my season to injuries,” she told PK Press Club Digital. “It taught me that I can still fight my way through all of this. Of course, I still want to win a medal, but I’m really happy with how I was able to come back this season, and it’s always a learning experience and a growing experience.”
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For Stolz, the support of his family to get to this point meant a lot to him. They were featured in the Hershey campaign.
He said the campaign was “really genuine and genuine” to him and his family.
Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after the men’s 500 meters speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Ben Curtis/AP Photo)
Stolz talked about some of the sacrifices his family had to make so he could even compete for a gold medal.
“Yes, they sacrificed a lot,” he told PK Press Club Digital. “Just get me to the rink and, of course, fund the speed skating itself. My dad worked a third shift and my mom worked during the day. It’s like my mom picks me up from the rink after my dad drops me off, so it’s a lot of driving back and forth and just a lot of time.
“They put a lot into it, and it’s also, like traveling to different competitions and, of course, the belief that they had that I could be good one day. And my mom was super optimistic about it. My dad was maybe more on the other side, I hope he’s really good. And it ended up working out well. And I’m just happy to be able to run in the Olympics in front of them. Because of course, in China we didn’t get that opportunity. And it felt really good to be able to win in front of them and make them proud.”
Above all, both Olympic athletes expressed what it meant to them to represent Team USA on the world stage.
Jordan Stolz celebrates his gold medal on the podium in the men’s 1,000 meters in speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 11, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)
“It’s an honor. There’s a lot of pride that comes with it,” Jackson said. “I feel like the Olympics is a really great time that brings everyone together. Everyone gets to sit in front of their TV and cheer for Team USA, and it’s great to be someone that you can watch and cheer for and have a good time for those two weeks. It’s really cool to be a part of that.”
Stolz said he was “super excited” to hear the national anthem as he stood on the top step of the podium to receive his gold medal.
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“Well, I was excited to hear the national anthem when I was at the podium,” he said. “I think that was the best part, just hearing that and supporting your country, right? To me it means a lot. It was the first time I heard, I think it was at the world championships that they were playing.
“And that’s just something that stood out because it’s not another country’s anthem that’s being played, so you feel really good about what you did and also for the country. I was happy to get three medals out of it, so that was really nice.”
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