DEAN MOUHTAROPOULOS/GETTY IMAGES
BRITTANY BOWE
a c o B n i l l a b t e k s a g n i j i e From B B n i e z n o r to B Alumna Upholds FAU Legacy of Sportsmanship, Excellence at Olympics B Y A M Y H AYC O C K
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pitomizing the spirit of the Olympics, one of the 2022 Winter Games’ most talked-about athletes, speedskater and FAU alumna Brittany Bowe ’10, became known for a great act of sportsmanship that underscored what it means to be part of a team.
“It was hard to celebrate my victory knowing Erin might not qualify,” Bowe said. “You get one chance every four years to make your Olympic dreams a reality. It would have been a sin for Erin — who is ranked No. 1 in the world in the 500 meter — to not have the opportunity to compete.”
Bowe made headlines in January for giving up her spot in the 500-meter race so teammate Erin Jackson would have a chance to compete in Beijing. Bowe, a three-time winter Olympian, placed first in the 500-, 1,000- and 1,500-meter events at the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Trials. An unfortunate slip caused Jackson to finish third. Only the top two were guaranteed spots on Team USA for the event.
Ultimately, Bowe relinquished her spot in the event so that Jackson — who she’s known for nearly 20 years — would be able to compete for Team USA. The two grew up in Ocala, Fla., and met through inline skating. Bowe was confident that Jackson was our nation’s best chance at a gold medal in that event. She was right. Jackson brought home Team USA’s first gold in the women’s 500m since 1994 and made history as the first Black woman to win an individual medal in speedskating.
38 | FLORIDA ATLANTIC MAGAZINE
