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Erin Jackson is crowned Olympic champion
Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP
Erin Jackson of the US has become the first black woman to win a medal in speed skating at the Winter Olympics - she raced to gold in Beijing.
Jackson won the 500 meters with a time of 37.04 seconds, giving the Americans their first speed skating medal at the Beijing Games.
Silver went to Miho Takagi (37.12).
As in the 1500m, the Japanese won second place.
Bronze went to Angelina Golikova of the Russian Olympic Committee in 37.21 seconds.
Jackson was actually no longer intended for the distance over 500 meters.
In the qualifying race for the Beijing Winter Games, the 29-year-old slipped up several times – she missed out on one of the two starting places that had been available to the US team.
But teammate Brittany Bowe saved Jackson's dream of starting the 500 meters.
Two days after winning the 500 meter elimination race, Bowe relinquished her starting spot to US record holder Jackson.
"After her unfortunate slip-up, I knew immediately I had to make a decision, she can have my place," Bowe said at the time.
Jackson was considered the best American sprinter over 500 meters at this time.
Thanks to a quota place, Bowe was still there in Beijing and finished 16th in 38.04 seconds.
Jackson began speed skating at the age of ten and quickly became a self-proclaimed "skating rat."
Teammate Bowe, 33, is considered her role model.
Jackson made her debut in a World Cup only four years ago, at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang she was 24. Now she has crowned her career.
jan/Reuters