When American Erin Jackson crossed the finish line of the women's 500-meter race at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, she not only won gold but became the first Black woman to win a medal in speedskating history.
"I think what she did tonight is going to be a springboard to give so many little girls and boys the opportunity to look up to someone that they haven't been able to look at and relate to," teammate Brittany Bowe said after the race.
"So that goes far beyond what any of us could have imagined, how many people, specifically little girls, she's going to be touching (the hearts of) after this performance," Bowe added.