NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Team USA revealed that speed skater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca have been selected as flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
Jackson was the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics when she accomplished the feat at the 2022 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Del Duca is a US Army sergeant participating in his second Olympic Games.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Erin Jackson of the United States raises an American flag after winning the gold medal in the women’s 500-meter speed skating race at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
“Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor,” Jackson said in a statement. “It’s a moment that reflects much more than an individual: it represents my family, my teammates, my hometown and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport. The Olympic Games remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I am proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”
Jackson will compete in the 500-meter race with Sarah Warren and the 1,000-meter race with Brittany Bowe.
Del Duca said he was surprised to get the nod as flag bearer.
Frank Del Duca, driver of the fourth-place U.S. team, waves to fans after the 4-man bobsled event at the world bobsled championships on March 15, 2025, in Lake Placid, New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
MILAN 2026 CORTINA OLYMPIC GAMES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR’S WINTER GAMES
“It means a lot. It really means a lot,” he said. “It would be great anywhere, but the fact that it’s in Italy, I think our family is a lot more excited. My grandparents are gone, but they always supported Italy and the U.S. And they said the perfect day would be for the Italians and the Americans to tie for gold. So, yeah, this is great. It’s a great opportunity.”
Del Duca was fourth in the two-man and four-man class at last season’s world championships in New York. He finished 13th in both races in his Olympic debut four years ago.
People take pictures in front of the Milan Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games rings, in Cortina D’Ampezzo, on November 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics will begin on Friday.
