BEIJING — So what, exactly, runs through the mind of an Olympic gold medalist as she stands atop the podium?
Erin Jackson said it's honestly not all that complicated.
"Just like, holy crap. And wow. And this is awesome," she said with a laugh. "Very simple thoughts."
Her reaction, however, belies the craziness of the journey she took to get there – and perhaps what her place atop that podium represents.
With 37.04 seconds of brilliance, Jackson won the women's 500 meters at the National Speed Skating Oval on Sunday night – and, in the process, achieved a number of firsts.