American speedskater Erin Jackson just won gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics and later admitted to a minor blunder during the medal ceremony for the women's 500m.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, athletes in Beijing are putting on their own medals.
During the emotional ceremony, the 29-year-old Jackson put the gold medal around her neck with the first place medallion facing backward.
"Cried so much that I put on my medal backward … then cried some more 😭🥇🇺🇸," she wrote on Twitter.
Cried so much that I put on my medal backward\u2026 then cried some more pic.twitter.com/deEgHSFrHU— Erin Jackson (@Erin Jackson) 1644852859
With a time of 37.04 in the 500m, Jackson became the first Black woman to win an individual medal in speedskating at the Winter Olympics, according to Team USA.
So did I Ms Erin Jackson, so did I. I am so very proud of you and your achievement, winning your historical GOLD and stamping your name in Olympic Games History. What a race, what a win and to think you made Black History during Black History Month.— Ronnie Price (@Ronnie Price) 1644863185
She beat Japan's Miho Takagi by a mere 0.08 seconds, and Angelina Golikova of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) finished third–clocking her in at 37.21.
Jackson also became the first U.S. woman to win gold in speed skating at the Olympics in nearly 30 years after Bonnie Blair won two gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer games.
Despite the gold medal gaffe, Twitter saw Jackson as a champion in their eyes.
Cry all you want! You\u2019re amazing! Congratulations on your spectacular performance and for winning the gold. Well deserved. You\u2019re an inspiration.— Country over party (@Country over party) 1644853043
I just learned last night that you put ice skates on for the first time ever in 2016! Amazing! Congratulations on your victory! You\u2019ve made your country feel very proud.— mb_sullivan (@mb_sullivan) 1644858019
We love you! Your passion, drive and determination can be seen and felt. I would have done the same thing. Congratulations Erin on becoming an Olympic Champion! Well done!— Jennifer Louie, Violinist (@Jennifer Louie, Violinist) 1644853081
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! I've replayed your race at least 20 times because for me, you had THE race of these Olympics!!! What a journey and what a finish!!!— PLucK (@PLucK) 1644860452
Social media users continued encouraging her to wear the gold medal any way she wants to.
Congratulations!!! Since it\u2019s YOUR GOLD MEDAL , you wear it anyway you want! We are so proud of you!— Kari, just Kari\u270c\ud83c\udffd\ud83e\udd2a\ud83e\udd1f\ud83c\udffe (@Kari, just Kari\u270c\ud83c\udffd\ud83e\udd2a\ud83e\udd1f\ud83c\udffe) 1644853331
However you wear it is the right way. Congratulations on the reward for incredible hard work.— Doctor Dad (@Doctor Dad) 1644865449
Just saw your medal ceremony on NBC. Backwards or forwards that medal is all Gold. Olympic Champion Erin Jackson has a nice ring to it. Congrats young lady— TC Bradford (@TC Bradford) 1644900163
It\u2019s still gold no matter what side it\u2019s on! Congratulations— Bel:13ve (@Bel:13ve) 1644898358
Congratulations, Erin!!! So proud of you and representing us abroad! I don't care if your gold medal is on backward because gold is gold, and I know what gold looks like! @ErinJackson480— Nelson Muna (@Nelson Muna) 1644855060
And the Gold was facing your heart as you\u2019re a young lady w/ a humble heart of Gold\u2014apparent in all your interviews! Well deserved. Great job representing Team USA— Awe Zen (@Awe Zen) 1644885675
It doesn\u2019t matter which side of the medal shows, it\u2019s beautiful and accentuates your beautiful smile. Congratulations on the Gold!!!! Cry all you want, you\u2019ve earned it.— Vaccinated Front Running Jerk (@Vaccinated Front Running Jerk) 1644864190
Jackson almost didn't compete in the Winter Games as she technically did not qualify. She placed third after slipping during the U.S. Trials.
But in an incredible gesture of goodwill and sportsmanship, Brittany Bowe–who came in first at trials–gave up her spot out of “the spirit of the Olympics,” so that Jackson could compete.
Prior to the Games, Jackson told People:
"It's an honor to represent the U.S. at the Olympics. Team USA is like a big family and it feels great to cheer each other on as we all go for gold."
Congratulations, Erin!
No matter what side it's facing, the gold medal is a winning look on you.
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