US Names Jackson, Del Duca as 2026 Olympics Flagbearers

Speedskater Erin Jackson and bobsledder Frank Del Duca will lead the United States delegation into the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday in Italy, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced Tuesday.

Jackson, 33, and Del Duca, 34, were selected as the American flagbearers in a nod to their accomplishments and the evolving tradition of Olympic representation. Jackson, competing in her third Games, made history at the 2022 Beijing Olympics as the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal in a Winter event, taking the 500-meter speedskating title. Del Duca, an Army sergeant in his second Olympics, marks a milestone as the first bobsledder to carry the U.S. flag at an opening ceremony in 70 years.

The choice reflects the committee's emphasis on athletes who embody resilience and diversity. "Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor," Jackson said. "It’s a moment that reflects far more than one individual; it represents my family, my teammates, my hometown, and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport. The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire,...