MILAN — This was not the plan for Erin Jackson at the 2026 Winter Olympics
With a chance to defend her Olympic title in the women’s 500 meters, Jackson instead finished fifth on Sunday, Feb. 15 at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium with a time of 37.32 seconds.
Dutch star Femke Kok won gold with a time of 36.49 seconds, an Olympic record. Fellow Dutch star Jutta Leerdam took silver (37.15 seconds). Japan’s Miho Takagi won bronze (37.27 seconds).
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Jackson and Kok were paired together and skated in the 15th and final slot. Kok holds the world record in the 500 with a time of 36.09, and now holds the Olympic record in the 500 meters. She won silver in the 1,000 here at the Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Jackson has not won the 500 during the 2025-26 season and has struggled with back problems.
At the 2022 Games in Beijing, Jackson became the first Black woman to win a medal in an individual event at the Winter Olympics. It set her up for golds in back-to-back Winter Olympics.
Earlier this week, Jackson posted her second-best time ever in the 1,000 meters while finishing sixth. The performance appeared to boost her confidence heading into the 500, but she fell short of her goal.
This story will be updated with more information.