Jordan Stolz Wins 1,000m in Speedskating, Aims for Four Golds
Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrated a significant milestone by winning gold in the men’s 1000 meters speedskating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event took place at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, a temporary venue created for the Games. Stolz completed his race in a remarkable time of 1 minute, 6.28 seconds, breaking the previous Olympic record of 1:07.18, which had stood since 2002.
Jordan Stolz’s Journey to Gold
Stolz’s passion for speedskating began at the age of five, influenced by the 2010 Winter Olympics. His father, Dirk Stolz, offered unwavering support by clearing their backyard pond for skating practice, nurturing Jordan’s ambition to compete at the highest level.
During the race, Stolz faced tough competition, initially trailing silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands. However, Stolz’s impressive final lap propelled him ahead, allowing him to clinch the gold medal. “It was just a feeling like, ‘You finally did it,’” he remarked after the victory.
Record-Breaking Performance
- Event: Men’s 1000 meters speedskating
- Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2026
- Gold Medal Time: 1:06.28
- Previous Olympic Record: 1:07.18 (held since 2002)
- Silver Medalist: Jenning de Boo (Netherlands)
- Bronze Medalist: Zhongyan Ning (China)
This victory marked Stolz’s first Olympic medal, a notable achievement following his previous performance, where he placed 14th in the 1000 meters and 13th in the 500 meters at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Looking Forward: Aiming for More Golds
With one gold in his pocket, Stolz remains focused on winning more medals. He is scheduled to compete in three additional events in Milan: the 500 meters, the 1500 meters, and the mass start. “Now that I’ve won one, I kind of know what to expect,” he stated, displaying optimism for his upcoming races.
As Stolz continues his Olympic journey, he aims to follow in the footsteps of Eric Heiden, who holds the record for five gold medals in one Winter Games. Despite the pressure of expectations, Stolz is eager for the challenge ahead.
