On a brisk Wednesday night in Milan, the world of speedskating witnessed a performance for the ages as Jordan Stolz, a 21-year-old prodigy from Kewaskum, Wisconsin, stormed to Olympic glory in the men’s 1000-meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. With a dazzling display of power and poise, Stolz shattered a 24-year-old Olympic record, clocking in at 1:06.28 at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. The moment marked not only a personal triumph, but also a significant milestone for American speedskating, reigniting memories of legends like Eric Heiden and Shani Davis.
Stolz’s victory was far from a foregone conclusion. As he reached the 600-meter mark, he found himself trailing Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, who was pushing the pace in front of a sea of orange-clad Dutch fans. The tension in the arena was palpable. "Oh, for sure," Stolz admitted after the race, reflecting on the pressure. "I threw two arms down. Because I really didn’t want to lose." But if there’s one thing Stolz has become known for, it’s his killer instinct in the final lap. He dug deep, unleashing a blistering last 400 meters that left the competition in his wake.
De Boo, just 22 years old, was forced to settle for silver despite a sensational effort that also bested the previous Olympic record. "I had high hopes, but his last lap is just incredible. You hear his skates coming. And it's pretty creepy," de Boo remarked, acknowledging Stolz’s unmatched closing speed. De Boo finished half a second behind, with a time of 1:06.78, while China’s Zhongyan Ning took the bronze in 1:07.34.
The drama didn’t end at the finish line. Dutch skater Joep Wennemars, the 2025 world champion in the 1000 meters, was awarded a rare reskate after a collision with China’s Lian Ziwen. Wennemars, visibly frustrated, couldn’t muster the energy to challenge for the podium on his second attempt and ultimately finished fifth with his original time of 1:07.58. According to Dutch journalists, Wennemars felt a medal had been "stolen" from him, though he acknowledged Ziwen’s apology.
For Stolz, this gold medal was the culmination of a journey that began sixteen years earlier, when a five-year-old boy watched Apolo Ohno and Shani Davis race on television during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Inspired, he begged his father, Dirk, to clear off their frozen backyard pond in Wisconsin so he and his sister, Hannah, could skate. His mother Jane, ever cautious, insisted on lifejackets for safety. "That’s actually what started this whole thing," Dirk recalled. "And all of a sudden, you’re here 16 years later, and he won a gold medal." Stolz, who stands six feet tall, credits those backyard sessions and the support of his family for setting him on the path to Olympic greatness.
Stolz’s coach, Bob Corby, praised his athlete’s mental fortitude and unique approach to the sport. "That ability to continue to perform at a really, really high level, even though he’s tired, that’s his superpower," Corby explained. Stolz is known for his meticulous preparation—he saved the same pair of blades he used to set the world record for this Olympic race, ate a simple meal of plain rice before competition, and prefers silent bike rides to stay mentally sharp. "If you want to be good, you have to be obsessed with weird things," Stolz once said, underscoring the relentless dedication required in speedskating.
Stolz’s triumph in Milan is even more remarkable considering his rapid rise through the ranks. At just 17, he finished 14th in the 1000 meters at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. By 2023 and 2024, he had swept gold medals at the World Championships in the 500, 1000, and 1500 meters, and set a national record in the 500 meters. In 2025, he added silver in the 500 and 1500 meters, and bronze in the 1000 meters at the World Championships. Entering the 2026 Games, he was the world record holder in the 1000 meters with a time of 1:05.37 and had dominated the World Cup circuit, sweeping all five 1000-meter races that season.
Wednesday’s race was a showcase of Stolz’s signature closing speed. No other skater in the world-class field managed a sub-26-second final lap. "It’s not clearing your mind," Stolz said of his approach to the last lap. "I thought I just have to try harder." That relentless drive propelled him to the largest margin of victory in the Olympic 1000 meters since 1984, a feat that drew comparisons to the legendary Eric Heiden. Stolz himself is eyeing an even bigger legacy—he’s aiming to become the first American since Heiden to win three or more gold medals at a single Winter Olympics. If he succeeds, he’ll join the pantheon of Olympic greats, alongside the likes of Michael Phelps.
The atmosphere inside the Milano Speed Skating Stadium was electric, with an estimated 90% of the crowd cheering for the Dutch skaters. Yet, when Stolz crossed the finish line, he acknowledged the crowd with a grateful salute and later took a victory lap draped in the American flag. Among the spectators were Heiden himself and even Snoop Dogg, both of whom Stolz was thrilled to impress. "It’s really cool that I was able to win in front of both of them," Stolz said. "I'm sure they were enjoying it. I definitely didn't disappoint them."
Stolz’s American teammates also made their Olympic debuts memorable. Conor McDermott-Mostowy finished ninth with a time of 1:08.48, while Cooper McLeod placed 19th in 1:09.31. Their performances underscored a promising future for U.S. speedskating, but it was Stolz who stole the show with his record-breaking run.
With his first Olympic gold secured, Stolz’s journey in Milan is far from over. He’s set to compete in the 500 meters on February 14, the 1500 meters on February 19, and the mass start on February 21—the only race where all skaters start together, covering 16 laps. Each event offers Stolz another shot at history and another chance to inspire the next generation of American speedskaters.
As the sun set over Milan and the crowd’s cheers echoed through the arena, Stolz stood atop the podium, hand over his heart, gold medal gleaming. From backyard ponds in Wisconsin to the world’s biggest stage, his journey has captivated fans and reignited America’s passion for speedskating. The world will be watching closely as Stolz chases more gold in the days to come.