Overview
- Jackson, 33, and Del Duca, 34, were selected by a vote of fellow Team USA athletes organized by the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.
- Jackson became the first Black woman to win an individual Winter Olympic gold in 2022 and will defend her 500m title while also racing the 1,000m; she called the selection a surprise and a tremendous honor.
- Del Duca, a U.S. Army sergeant in the World Class Athlete Program from Bethel, Maine, said leading the team in Italy holds special meaning because of his family’s Italian heritage.
- He will be the first bobsledder in 70 years to carry the U.S. flag at an opening ceremony, while Jackson is the eighth U.S. speedskater to receive the honor.
- The Opening Ceremony is Friday, Feb. 6 at Milan’s San Siro, airing live in the U.S. on NBC and Peacock at 2 p.m. ET, as Team USA fields a record 232 athletes.