Speedskater Erin Jackson has already made Olympic history by becoming the first Black woman to secure an individual gold medal at a Winter Games. Alongside her, bobsled pilot Frank Del Duca, a sergeant in the U.S. Army with strong Italian-American roots, will represent the United States by carrying the national flag at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Jackson, aged 33, and Del Duca, 34, were selected through a vote by their fellow United States Olympians to lead the team into the spotlight for Friday evening's opening festivities. According to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Jackson will become the eighth speedskater to bear the flag at the Olympics' opening ceremony, while Del Duca will mark a milestone as the first bobsledder to hold this honor in seven decades.
Jackson expressed profound pride in a USOPC statement released Tuesday, emphasizing that the honor transcends individual achievement. "Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor," she said. "This moment reflects far more than one individual — it represents my family, teammates, my hometown, and all those across the country who believe in the power of sport. The Olympics highlight the power of sport to unite and inspire, and I am proud to carry that message on this international stage."
The upcoming opening ceremonies will be distinctive in their format, as these are the most geographically dispersed Winter Games in history. While the principal ceremony will be held in Milan, supplementary ceremonies and athlete parades are planned for Italian locales including Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
For Del Duca, this role carries additional personal resonance. As a top-ranked U.S. bobsled pilot in both two- and four-man events, competing in his homeland of ancestral origin amplifies the significance of the Games. Del Duca revealed that he was surprised by his flag bearer selection during an earlier interview with the Associated Press.
"I was raised deeply immersed in Italian and Italian-American culture," Del Duca reflected. "Three of my four grandparents were Italian. My name is Frank Joseph Del Duca IV. While it's not the most traditional Italian name, it clearly reflects our heritage. I grew up enjoying the food and the culture, celebrating our Italian American roots, which, while distinct from Italy itself, remain a source of great pride for our family."
At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor was originally chosen to carry the American flag but was sidelined due to a positive COVID-19 test, resulting in Brittany Bowe substituting for the opening ceremony. This time, Jackson has the opportunity to carry the flag from the outset.
Del Duca's recent track record includes a fourth-place finish in both two- and four-man events at the previous world championships held on his home course in Lake Placid, New York. He debuted at the Olympics in Beijing four years prior, achieving 13th place in those same events. His return to the Olympic stage symbolizes a significant personal and national milestone, heightened by his military service and the Italian setting of the Games.
"This means an immense amount to me," Del Duca said. "It would be an honor anywhere, but holding this role in Italy makes it even more special. Though my grandparents are no longer with us, they were ardent supporters of both Italy and the United States. They often said the perfect outcome would be a shared gold between Italians and Americans. This truly is a remarkable opportunity for me and my family."