Get ready to be inspired, because a new legend is being born on the ice! Jordan Stolz, the U.S. speedskating sensation, has kicked off his quest for an unprecedented four gold medals by shattering an Olympic record in the 1,000-meter event. But here's where it gets even more thrilling: this isn't just about speed—it's about a journey that began at just 17 years old, when Stolz, the youngest male athlete on the 2022 U.S. Olympic team, finished outside the top 10 in both the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races. Fast forward to Milan, and he's not just competing—he's dominating.
On Wednesday, Stolz clocked an astonishing 1:06.28, slicing nearly a second off the previous Olympic record. He edged out Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands and Zhongyan Ning of China, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively. But this victory wasn’t without its nail-biting moments. 'Jenning was ahead of me at 600 meters, and I was worried he might pull it off,' Stolz admitted to NBC News. 'But I told myself I couldn’t let that happen. I gave it everything I had and managed to catch him.'
And this is the part most people miss: Stolz isn’t just an Olympic champion—he’s a record-breaker, a world dominator, and a trailblazer. In 2023 and 2024, he swept the 500-meter, 1,000-meter, and 1,500-meter events at the World Championships, earning the title of the youngest male World Allround champion in nearly half a century. He also holds the world record in the 1,000-meter with a time of 1:05.37, set in Salt Lake City in January 2024. But here’s the controversial twist: Stolz claims Wednesday’s Olympic feat felt even better because it wasn’t achieved at altitude, sparking debates about whether records set in high-altitude locations are truly comparable.
Stolz’s dominance extends beyond the Olympics—he’s currently on a 14-race unbeaten streak in the 1,000-meter at the World Cup level. 'Earning this gold feels a bit better than I thought it would,' he shared. 'I’ve trained relentlessly for four years, and knowing you only get one shot to win gold in the 1,000-meter—well, achieving that is pretty unreal.'
In Milan, the Wisconsin native is poised to contend for gold in the 500-meter, 1,000-meter, and 1,500-meter events, with a potential appearance in the men’s mass start. If he secures at least three gold medals, he’ll join the legendary Eric Heiden as the only American athlete—male or female—to achieve such a feat in a single Winter Games. But is Stolz the greatest speedskater of all time? Or is it too early to crown him? We’ll let you decide in the comments.
For now, Stolz is savoring his first Olympic gold. 'It’s a relief to get the first one out of the way,' he said. 'Experiencing the crowd, the pressure, the buildup—it’s a whole new world. Now I know what to expect.'
So, what do you think? Can Jordan Stolz make history in Milan? And does his record-breaking performance solidify his place among the greatest athletes of all time? Let us know your thoughts below!
