Additional Coverage:
- Jordan Stolz will be 2026 Winter Olympics’ breakout star, and his record 1,000-meter gold is only the start (cbssports.com)
Wisconsin’s Jordan Stolz Skates into Olympic Stardom with Record-Breaking Gold
Milan, Italy – The Winter Olympics may not always showcase the raw “speed” of its skating events as vividly as its summer counterparts, but 21-year-old Jordan Stolz of Wisconsin is proving to be an undeniable force, shattering perceptions and records alike. Making his Olympic debut on Wednesday in Milan, Stolz not only met but exceeded the considerable hype, securing a gold medal in the 1,000-meter speedskating race with a come-from-behind, record-setting performance.
While speedskating, with its aerodynamic unitards and goggles, can sometimes struggle to translate the intensity of its athletes to a mainstream audience, Stolz’s sheer athletic prowess is undeniable. His remarkable endurance sets him apart; as other elite skaters visibly tire, Stolz maintains his strength, a critical differentiator in a sport where hundredths of a second often separate victory from defeat.
Stolz’s gold-medal winning time of 1:06.28 was a staggering half-second faster than his closest rival, Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands. This margin marks the largest gap between gold and silver in the Olympic 1,000-meter race since 1984.
Furthermore, Stolz obliterated the previous Olympic record by nearly a full second. While he didn’t set a new world record on Wednesday, he already holds that title, having established it at the world championships in January 2024.
Growing up practicing on a backyard pond deep into the frigid Wisconsin nights, Stolz’s origin story is quickly becoming an Olympic fairytale. And Wednesday’s victory is just the beginning.
He is slated to compete in three more events: the 500-meter, 1,500-meter, and the thrilling mass start race. With a track record of claiming first place in the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters at the 2023 and 2024 world championships, Stolz is widely feared on the ice and poised to leave Milan with a potential four gold medals.
Comparisons are already being drawn to Olympic legends like Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, as it would be genuinely surprising to see Stolz finish anywhere but the top of the podium. He is unequivocally the breakout star of these Winter Olympics, ready to etch his name alongside American speedskating greats such as Eric Heiden, Bonnie Blair, Apolo Ohno, and Shani Davis.
Stolz’s next opportunity to solidify his legacy comes this Saturday in the men’s 500-meter race. If you missed his electrifying performance on Wednesday, NBC will be re-airing the race tonight. This is your official invitation to jump on the Jordan Stolz bandwagon – his Olympic journey is just beginning, and it promises to be legendary.