Team USA flag bearer Bowe gave up spot in event for teammate

Speedskaters Erin Jackson, left, and Brittany Bowe answer questions before boarding a plane en route to the Beijing Olympics at a Delta Airlines terminal Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

FILE - United States' Brittany Bowe skates during the women's 1000-meter World Cup speedskating race at the Utah Olympic Oval, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Kearns, Utah. The most successful U.S. Winter Olympic sport has won just one medal since 2010. But the Americans have a chance to claim a handful in Beijing. Erin Jackson is the favorite to win the 500 meters and Brittany Bowe is a similar threat in the 1,000. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Brittany Bowe and John Shuster, of the United States, leads their team in during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

FILE - United States' Joey Mantia skates during the men's 1500-meter World Cup speedskating race at the Utah Olympic Oval Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Kearns, Utah. Mantia is the gold-medal favorite in the 1,500 and his veteran presence guides the U.S. as a favorite in the team pursuit.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Brittany Bowe and John Shuster, of the United States, lead their team in during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)