American speedskating sensation Jordan Stolz delivered a masterclass performance at Milano Cortina 2026, capturing his first Olympic gold medal while obliterating the Olympic record in the men’s 1000m event. The 21-year-old Wisconsin native crossed the finish line in 1:06.28, nearly a full second faster than the previous record, cementing his status as the dominant force in speedskating.
Stolz didn’t just win, he demolished the competition. The margin of victory over silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands stood at 0.50 seconds, marking the largest gap in Olympic 1000m history since 1984. China’s Ning Zhongyan rounded out the podium with bronze, finishing in 1:07.34.
This triumph represents more than a personal milestone for Stolz. He became the first American to claim speedskating gold since Vancouver 2010, ending a 16-year drought for U.S. men in the sport. The victory also broke the Dutch stranglehold on the event, as Netherlands skaters had claimed gold in the previous three Winter Games.
Jordan Stolz Journey From Backyard Pond to Olympic Glory
The path to Olympic greatness began on a frozen pond behind the Stolz family home in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. At just five years old, Jordan Stolz first laced up skates after watching the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with his sister Hannah. His parents, Jane and Dirk, initially made the children wear blue life jackets while skating on their backyard pond, unsure of the ice thickness.
Stolz credits legends Apolo Anton Ohno and Shani Davis for inspiring him to pursue speedskating. Davis, who won back-to-back 1000m golds in 2006 and 2010, later mentored the young skater. That relationship proved invaluable as Stolz developed his technique and mental approach to competition.
The young phenom made his Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 as the youngest member of Team USA at 17 years old. Though he finished 13th in the 500m and 14th in the 1000m, those performances laid the groundwork for his current dominance.
Record-Breaking Rise Through the Ranks
Jordan Stolz meteoric ascent through professional speedskating has been nothing short of extraordinary. At the 2023 World Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands, he swept the 500m, 1000m and 1500m events. One year later, he captured the World Allround Championships title while winning the same three distances at the Calgary World Championships.
The Wisconsin native currently holds the world record in the 1000m with a time of 1:05.37, set in January 2024. He also owns multiple junior world records and became the youngest single distance world champion in history. His big combination world record at the 2024 World Allround Championships made him the youngest male champion in 46 years.
Before Milano Cortina 2026, Stolz had already proven himself nearly unbeatable. His consistency across multiple distances sets him apart from competitors who typically specialize in one or two events. This versatility makes his pursuit of four gold medals at these Games realistic rather than aspirational.
Wednesday Performance at Milano Speed Skating Stadium
The temporary Milano Speed Skating Stadium has produced remarkably fast times throughout these Olympics, with all four long track events won in Olympic record times. Stolz took full advantage of the conditions, though he didn’t threaten his own world record of 1:05.37.
Racing in the next-to-last pairing alongside de Boo, Stolz appeared to stutter slightly at the start, allowing his Dutch rival to take an early lead. But the American quickly found his rhythm, showcasing the smooth, powerful stride that has made him famous. By the completion of one full lap, Stolz had pulled ahead, though de Boo briefly reclaimed the lead before the final corner.
Legend Eric Heiden, the only speedskater to win five golds at a single Winter Games, watched from the stands alongside rapper Snoop Dogg. As Stolz crossed the finish line, he celebrated with an understated pump of his right fist, hands on knees, overwhelmed by the magnitude of his achievement.
The victory lap had to wait, however. The final heat needed completion, followed by a 10-minute delay for a re-skate after Joep Wennemars of the Netherlands was bumped during his original heat. When Stolz finally paraded around the oval with the American flag, the roaring crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Quest for Four Gold Medals Continues
Jordan Stolz aims to join fellow Wisconsinite Eric Heiden as the only American, male or female, to win three or more gold medals at a single Winter Olympics. Heiden captured five golds at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, the most ever won by any athlete in any sport at one Winter Games.
The 21-year-old remains focused despite the pressure and expectations. He treats the Olympics like any other race, blocking out external noise to concentrate on execution. This mental approach has served him well throughout his rapid rise to the top of speedskating.
The pressure leading up to his first event was intense, but Stolz relies on repetition and routine. His obsessive attention to detail, from blade positioning to turn technique, gives him confidence that proper preparation will yield results. The smallest adjustments, measured in millimeters and milliseconds, separate champions from contenders.
With three more events remaining, Jordan Stolz stands on the cusp of speedskating immortality. His dominance throughout the season makes him the heavy favorite in each distance. If he maintains his form and composure, history awaits the young Wisconsin native who first fell in love with speedskating while watching television as a five-year-old boy.
