American Speedskater Jordan Stolz Claims Gold with Olympic Record Performance
In a stunning display of speed and precision, U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz captured the gold medal in the men's 1,000 meters at the Milan Cortina Winter Games on Wednesday. The 21-year-old from Wisconsin not only secured the top spot on the podium but also set a new Olympic record, finishing in 1 minute and 6.28 seconds.
A New Standard in Speed Skating
Skating in the next-to-last pairing at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, a temporary venue that has been producing exceptionally fast times throughout the competition, Stolz delivered a performance for the ages. While he did not challenge his own world record of 1:05.37, he decisively broke the previous Olympic standard of 1:07.18, which had stood since 2002—before Stolz was even born.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Stolz's career. At the 2022 Beijing Games, as a 17-year-old, he finished 14th in the 1,000 meters and 13th in the 500 meters. Now, with this gold medal, he has firmly established himself as a dominant force in the sport.
Podium Finishers and Historical Context
Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands took the silver medal, finishing a half-second behind Stolz. Zhongyan Ning of China earned the bronze. Notably, no other competitor came within a full second of Stolz's record-setting time.
This gold medal represents the first for the United States in the men's 1,000 meters since the 2010 Vancouver Games. At that event, Shani Davis—who has since become a mentor to Stolz—won his second consecutive gold, while Chad Hedrick claimed bronze. Dutch men had won the event at each of the past three Winter Games, making Stolz's victory a breakthrough for Team USA.
The Race Dynamics and Celebration
With speedskating legend Eric Heiden, the only athlete to win five golds at a single Olympics, watching from the stands alongside rapper Snoop Dogg, the race unfolded with intense drama. Stolz initially pulled ahead of de Boo after one full lap, only for de Boo to move in front. However, Stolz reclaimed the lead at the final corner and crossed the finish line with his hands on his knees, securing the win.
His celebration was characteristically understated—a simple pump of his right hand. A full victory lap with the American flag was momentarily delayed due to the final heat and a 10-minute re-skate opportunity for Joep Wennermars of the Netherlands, who had been bumped during his original heat. Wennermars ultimately did not come close to challenging Stolz's time.
Looking Ahead
Stolz entered the competition as a heavy favorite and delivered under pressure, setting the stage for what he hopes will be a four-gold medal performance at these Winter Games. His record-breaking run in the 1,000 meters is a testament to his skill and determination, promising an exciting future for American speedskating on the global stage.
