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.
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.
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.
Social media users continued encouraging her to wear the gold medal any way she wants to.
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.
