Beijing (AP) – The American speed skater Erin Jackson won the Olympic victory over 500 meters at the Winter Games in China. The 29-year-old World Cup leader won in 37.04 seconds.
Jackson is the first African American woman to win an Olympic speed skating medal. She had actually missed the internal qualification in the USA following a slip, but winner Brittany Bowe gave up her rightful starting place. Bowe was still there in Beijing thanks to a quota place and finished 16th in 38.04 seconds.
Second was the Japanese Miho Takagi in 37.12 seconds, who had already won silver in the 1500 meters. The Russian world champion Angelina Golikova secured bronze in 37.21 seconds. German ice sprinters were not present at the Winter Games in China.
