For Jordan Stolz, standing atop the Olympic podium was a moment he had imagined since he was five years old, skating on a frozen pond in his Wisconsin backyard. Stolz discovered his passion for speedskating while watching the 2010 Winter Olympics on television and dreamed of one day representing the United States and winning gold.
Years of dedication, countless hours on the ice, and the support of his family culminated on February 11, 2026, when the 21-year-old American delivered a stunning performance in the men’s 1,000 meters at the Milan Cortina Games.
Stolz’s journey began in his childhood backyard, where his father, Dirk, shoveled the snow so that he and his older sister, Hannah, could practice skating, even though their mother did not approve. Those early experiences provided both skill and love for the sport and laid the foundation for his competitive career. Stolz’s interest grew as he followed past American champions, especially Shani Davis, who later became a mentor and coach. Stolz had his own ambitions and wanted to combine talent with hard work to reach the top of his sport.
Stolz Dominates 1,000 Meters with Olympic Record and Historic First Gold Victory
At the Milan Cortina Games, Stolz was widely seen as the favorite. He holds the 1,000 meters world record, is a two-time world champion in the event, and has gone undefeated in the World Cup this season, winning all five races in the 1,000 meters. Despite this, the Olympics have a pressure all their own. On race day, Stolz had to wait more than ten minutes for the gold to be confirmed because another competitor was granted a re-skate.
Stolz remained confident, saying later that he did not think anyone could beat his time. When the results were final, he had finished in 1 minute and 6.28 seconds, setting a new Olympic record and beating the previous standard of 1:07.18 set in 2002. His time was not faster than his own world record of 1:05.37, but it was the fastest Olympic time in the event’s history.
Jordan StolzThe race highlighted Stolz’s exceptional finishing ability. Skating in the next-to-last pairing at the temporary Milano Speed Skating Stadium, he initially trailed silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands with 400 meters remaining. In the final stretch, Stolz accelerated and passed de Boo around the last corner.
He crossed the finish line with his hands on his knees and then raised a fist in celebration, confirming his dominance. De Boo later praised Stolz, saying that his last lap was incredible and that he knew it was too late when he heard Stolz approaching at 800 meters. China’s Zhongyan Ning earned bronze but could not close the gap.
The victory had special significance for Stolz and the United States. It was his first Olympic medal and ended a 16-year gap in the men’s 1,000 meters for the U.S., a title last won by Shani Davis in Vancouver in 2010, with Chad Hedrick also on the podium.
Stolz’s achievement drew attention from legends, including Eric Heiden, the only speedskater to win five gold medals at a single Olympics, who watched from the stands alongside rapper Snoop Dogg. Stolz’s win reflected personal ambition and a continuation of a proud American speedskating tradition, linking him to past champions while establishing his own legacy.
Stolz’s First Gold Medal Reflects Dedication, Family Support, and Future Olympic Goals
The emotional importance of the medal was evident. After the race, Stolz showed his father the gold medal and said, “I finally got it.” His coach, Bob Corby, noted that prior to the race, Stolz treated competitions as regular events, but after the victory, he realized the magnitude of what he had accomplished.
Looking ahead, Stolz has three more events at Milan Cortina. He will compete in the 500 meters on February 15, the 1,500 meters on February 19, and the mass start on February 21. Comparisons to Eric Heiden naturally arise, but Stolz is careful to recognize the difference. Heiden won gold in five different distances, while Stolz currently excels in sprint events.
He remains open to competing in longer races in the future but is focused on making the most of his opportunities in the shorter events for now. Stolz said that winning one gold medal is already a huge accomplishment and that additional medals would be very rewarding, but even a single victory is meaningful.
Stolz’s triumph represents more than a single Olympic victory. It is the culmination of years of practice, perseverance, and dreams that began on a backyard pond in Wisconsin. From those early days to the Olympic podium, he has demonstrated remarkable speed, resilience, and composure under pressure.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, Stolz has become a leading figure in American speedskating and a rising star in the sport. With one gold medal secured and several events still to compete in, he has the opportunity to further cement his place among the sport’s elite and to inspire a new generation of skaters.
