In a historic announcement from Northern Italy, Team USA has selected speed skating gold medalist Erin Jackson and bobsled pilot Frank Del Duca as the flag bearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. The announcement, made Tuesday morning as athletes settled into the Olympic Village, places two of America’s most inspiring winter athletes at the head of the delegation for the upcoming festivities in Milan.

Jackson and Del Duca were chosen by a vote of their fellow Team USA athletes to lead the procession of over 230 Americans into the iconic San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza) this Friday, February 6. The selection highlights a blend of history-making talent and service, uniting a speed skating icon with a U.S. Army Sergeant competing in one of the Games' fastest sports.

Erin Jackson: A Speed Skating History Maker

For Erin Jackson, the honor of carrying the Star-Spangled Banner is the latest accolade in a career defined by breaking barriers. The 33-year-old Ocala, Florida native captured the world's attention at the Beijing 2022 Games when she became the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold medal, dominating the 500-meter speed skating event.

Jackson’s journey from inline skating to the Olympic ice is already the stuff of legend. After transitioning to the ice just months before the 2018 PyeongChang Games, she rapidly ascended to the pinnacle of the sport. Her selection as flag bearer underscores her status not just as a champion, but as a leader who embodies the perseverance of the American spirit.

"Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor," Jackson said in a statement following the announcement. "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."

Frank Del Duca: Leading from the Pilot's Seat

Marching alongside Jackson will be Frank Del Duca, a 34-year-old bobsled pilot and Infantry officer in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). Hailing from Bethel, Maine, Del Duca represents the grit and tactical precision required to master the icy chutes of the sliding center.

Del Duca’s rise in the sport has been marked by steady determination. After competing in the 2022 Beijing Games, he has solidified his position as America’s top pilot in both two-man and four-man events. His selection marks a rare spotlight for the sliding sports; according to team officials, he is the first bobsledder to carry the U.S. flag at an Opening Ceremony in 70 years.

"To wear the colors of my country as both a soldier and an Olympian is the greatest privilege of my life," Del Duca remarked. His role as flag bearer serves as a tribute to the deep connection between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Winter Games, a tradition that dates back decades.

Milan Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony: What to Expect

The Milan Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony promises to be a spectacular start to the XXV Olympic Winter Games. Scheduled for Friday evening, the event will take place at the San Siro, one of the world's most famous football cathedrals, transforming the pitch into a theater of ice and snow.

Unlike previous Games centered in a single Olympic Park, the 2026 Winter Games are spread across a vast region of Northern Italy, including Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio, and Verona. The Opening Ceremony will set the tone for this decentralized celebration, with the parade of nations showcasing thousands of athletes from around the globe.

Team USA's Outlook in Italy

As Jackson and Del Duca lead the way, they front a delegation teeming with medal potential. Team USA has arrived in Italy with high expectations in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and ice hockey, which sees the return of NHL stars to Olympic ice. With the opening festivities just days away, the naming of the flag bearers signals that the wait is finally over: the Games are here.

Viewers can watch the Opening Ceremony live this Friday, with coverage beginning across NBC and Peacock platforms. As the torch enters the San Siro, all eyes will be on Jackson and Del Duca, carrying the flag for a new generation of American winter sports history.