A speed skater gave away her spot in a Winter Olympics event to a top competitor who slipped and failed to qualify

• Erin Jackson is the world's top-ranked speed skater in the 500-meter event.
• After slipping during her qualifying race, the star looked poised to miss the Winter Olympics.

Erin Jackson is one of the best speed skaters on the planet.

But after an unfortunate error kept the 29-year-old frontrunner from placing among the top finishers in the 500-meter event at this weekend's US Olympic Speed Skating Trials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it appeared as though Jackson would miss this year's Winter Olympics in Beijing.

That's when a friend stepped up with the ultimate act of selflessness.

Brittany Bowe, a fellow American long track speed skater who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics, finished first in qualifying for the 500-meter despite specializing in longer races. But when the 33-year-old saw that Jackson was not expected to qualify herself, she knew what she had to do.

Bowe called Jackson, and then US Speedskating, to offer up her spot.

"It's just the spirit of the Olympics and being a great teammate," Bowe told NBCSports.com. "And yes, it's bigger than just me. It's Team USA. Erin has a shot to bring home a medal, hopefully, a gold medal, and it's my honor to give her that opportunity."

Jackson had won four of the past eight World Cups in the 500-meter race. But the top-ranked star uncharacteristically slipped during her qualifying event on Friday, losing precious fractions of a second off of her time and falling to third overall.

After the error, Jackson said she "couldn't turn my brain off" because she was tormented by the thought of "potentially missing out on the Olympics after a season I've been really proud of."

"It was really devastating," she added.

Only the top two finishers were guaranteed spots in Beijing, though a third American could later receive a bid. Jackson's time would not have been enough to nab that final spot, but Bowe — who also qualified for the 1000- and 1500-meter events — could still grab it.

Jackson is one of the bigger names in women's speed skating. She burst onto the scene after qualifying for Pyeongchang with just four months of serious training on the ice. Three years later, she became the first Black woman to win a long track speed skating World Cup race.

"Erin [Jackson] has earned her right to be on this 500-meter team," Bowe said. "She's ranked No. 1 in the world, and no one's more deserving than her to get an opportunity to bring Team USA home a medal."

"After that unfortunate slip, I knew in my mind before that night was even over that if it had to come down to a decision of mine, she could have my place," she added.

Jackson was stunned by her friend's generosity.

"It's hard to really even put it into words," Jackson said. "I'm beyond grateful and humbled and happy. I've grown up with Brittany. I've known her almost my whole life — growing up, looking up to her."

"I've always known what an incredible person she is, and now it's really showing," she added.

Check out the skaters' joint interview below: