Jordan Stolz Shines at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Jordan Stolz has been dreaming of this moment since he was a child. Growing up in Wisconsin, he learned how to skate on a frozen pond. Inspired by the 2010 Winter Olympics, he imagined standing on the podium himself one day. That dream became a reality on February 11, 2026, when he won gold in the men’s 1000 meters speedskating at the Milan Cortina Games.
Stolz’s victory came with a thrilling finish. He crossed the line with a time of 1 minute, 6.28 seconds. Though this did not break his own world record of 1:05.37, it did set a new Olympic standard, surpassing the previous record of 1:07.18 that stood since 2002. This race was part of an Olympics where all long track events were won with record-breaking times.
After winning, Stolz couldn’t contain his excitement. “It was just a feeling like, ‘You finally did it,’” he remarked, recalling the nail-biting moments before he officially celebrated. He had to wait briefly while another competitor was allowed a re-skate, but he wasn’t worried. “I didn’t think anybody was going to beat that time,” he said with a smile.
His father, Dirk, who cleared the snow from their backyard pond many years ago so Jordan could skate, was there to witness the moment. With tears of pride, Dirk recalled how his son showed him the medal and said, “I finally got it!”
Stolz’s recent journey to the podium is significant since he did not medal at the 2022 Beijing Games. Back then, he placed 14th in the 1000 meters and 13th in the 500 meters. This gold is especially meaningful as it’s the first time an American has medaled in the men’s 1000 meters since Shani Davis won gold in 2010.
Looking ahead, Stolz is set to compete in three more events in Milan. “Now that I’ve won one, I kind of know what to expect,” he said. His confidence is clear, as he aims for even more successes.
Coach Bob Corby praised Stolz, highlighting his killer instinct on the last lap of races. “He’s just a killer on the last lap,” said Corby, reinforcing what many fans have already noticed about Stolz’s impressive closing speed.
The buzz around Stolz is reminiscent of past legends. His name is often mentioned alongside Eric Heiden, who famously won five gold medals in a single Olympics in 1980. While Stolz admires Heiden, he understands they are competing in different legs of the sport—Heiden’s victories spanned multiple distances, while Stolz shines in sprints for now.
In today’s fast-paced online world, fans took to social media to celebrate Stolz’s win, sharing clips and showing their support. The excitement surrounding his race has sparked renewed interest in speedskating, especially among younger fans inspired by his story.
As Stolz prepares for his next races, he holds his gold medal close, understanding its significance. “One gold medal is huge enough,” he said, smiling. “But just having one means a lot.”
For more insights on Olympic statistics and the history of speedskating, check resources from the International Olympic Committee here.
