Erin Jackson, Jordan Stolz share how they keep happiness at the forefront

Speed ​​skaters Erin Jackson and Jordan Stolz proudly represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics last month.

Jackson, the first Black woman to win a gold medal in speed skating at the 2022 Olympics, entered the Olympics as one half of the flag bearers in the opening ceremonies. Although she didn’t medal at these Games, she held her head high in every speed skating event.

Stolz left the Milan Cortina Games with three medals. He won gold medals in the 500 and 1000 meter races and silver medals in the 1500 meter races.

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Both Team USA stars partnered for Hershey’s happiness. “real gold” campaign Before the games start. Jackson and Stolz received Hershey’s chocolate gold medals and appeared in commercials during the Olympics.

Jackson said in one of his campaign spots that “happiness is definitely more important than winning.” He told Fox News Digital how he keeps that in mind as he tries to maintain a competitive advantage against the world’s best speed skaters.

“I think what I always keep in mind and keep in perspective is that winning isn’t everything and losing isn’t the end of the world.” Jackson said. “I think I have a more relaxed attitude about what I do because I don’t know, maybe because I didn’t grow up as an athlete. I grew up more as a student.

“Skating was primarily a hobby for me. I grew up just doing it for fun. It’s something I’ve always loved to do. So all of this, traveling the world and doing it for a living, feels like a bonus to me, a really nice bonus. I’m going to have a good time there no matter what, and going to these events gives me a little bit of calm and peace of mind knowing that no matter what, everything’s going to be okay. Winning is great, but losing always gives you something.” to learn and refer to next time.”

Team United States’ Erin Jackson prepares to practice on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at the Milan Speed ​​Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy on February 2, 2026. (Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Jackson shared what he learned from his experience this time, as he went home without a medal.

“I think it’s taught me a lot about resilience and recovery,” he told Fox News Digital. “I mean, the last couple of seasons have been a little rough for me with some injuries. I’ve dealt with that and with this season in particular, I lost a lot of my season to injuries.” “It taught me that after all this I can still come back fighting. Of course I always want to win a medal, but I’m really happy to be able to come back this season and it’s always been a learning experience and a growing experience.”

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For Stolz, his family’s support in getting him to this point meant a lot to him. They were displayed in Hershey’s campaign.

He said the campaign was “really authentic and genuine” to him and his family.

Gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after the men’s 500-meter speed skating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Ben Curtis/AP Photo)

Stolz described some of the sacrifices his family had to make in order to participate in the gold medal competition.

“Yes, they sacrificed a lot,” he told Fox News Digital. “I just take me to the rink and of course I fund the speed skating itself. My dad worked third shift and my mom worked during the day as well. So it’s like my mom would pick me up from the rink after my dad dropped me off at the rink, so there’s a lot of driving back and forth and a lot of time.”

“They put a lot into it and also traveling to different competitions and of course having the belief that one day I could be good. And my mom was very optimistic about it. My dad was maybe on the other side, I hope it’s really good. And it worked out well. And I’m happy that I was able to compete in the Olympics in front of them, too. Because of course we didn’t get that opportunity in China. And it felt really good.” To be able to win in front of them and make them proud.”

First of all, both Olympians expressed what representing Team USA on the global stage means to them.

Jordan Stolz celebrates his gold medal on the podium in the men’s 1000 meter speed skating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on February 11, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)

“It’s an honor. There’s a lot of pride in it,” Jackson said. “I feel like it’s the Olympics, it’s a really great time that brings everyone together. Everybody can sit in front of their TV and cheer for Team USA, and it’s great to be someone they can watch and cheer for and have a good time with for these two weeks. It’s really great to be a part of that.”

Stolz said he had a “super thrill” when he heard the national anthem while standing at the top of the podium while accepting his gold medal.

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“I was so excited when I heard the national anthem while on the podium,” he said. “I think the best part was hearing about it and supporting your country, right? It means a lot to me. This was the first time I heard it being played at the world championships.”

“And that’s something that stands out because it’s not another country’s anthem playing, it makes you feel really good for what you’re doing and for your country. I was happy to get three medals out of it, that was nice.”

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