Blazing Golds Set the Stage (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Milan, Italy – U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz earned silver in the men’s 1500 meters Thursday, boosting his medal count to three at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.[1][2]
Blazing Golds Set the Stage
The 21-year-old from Kewaskum, Wisconsin, entered the Games amid high expectations after dominating recent World Cup seasons.[2] Stolz wasted no time delivering, capturing gold in the 500 meters with an Olympic record time of 33.77 seconds on February 14.[3]
Three days earlier, he shattered another Olympic mark in the 1000 meters, clocking 1:06.28 to claim his first gold of the competition.[3] Those victories positioned him as a favorite across multiple distances, drawing comparisons to speedskating legends.
Silver Thriller Against Fierce Competition
In the 1500 meters final, Stolz posted a time of 1:42.75, good enough for silver but falling 0.77 seconds short of gold.[2] China’s Ning Zhongyan stunned the field with an Olympic record of 1:41.98, securing his first Olympic victory.[4]
Stolz’s effort alone would have broken the previous Olympic record of 1:43.05, set by the Netherlands’ Kjeld Nuis in 2022. Nuis settled for bronze at 1:42.82 in Milan.[2] The race unfolded as a tactical battle, with Stolz pushing hard but unable to close the gap left by Ning’s explosive pace.
A Prodigy’s Rapid Rise
Born May 21, 2004, Stolz competed in his first Olympics at age 17 in Beijing 2022, finishing mid-pack in the shorter sprints.[3] Since then, he amassed 10 world records in the 1500 meters, including a personal best of 1:41.22 in Calgary last year.
His pre-Olympic form included sweeping all World Cup 1500m races in late 2025 and early 2026. Stolz also holds a world record in the 1000 meters from 2024.[2]
- Gold: Men’s 500m (OR: 33.77s)
- Gold: Men’s 1000m (OR: 1:06.28)
- Silver: Men’s 1500m (1:42.75)
Mass Start Offers Final Shot at Gold
Stolz eyes a potential fourth medal in the men’s mass start on February 21, a grueling 16-lap event covering 6,400 meters.[2] Ranked 10th in World Cup standings this season after missing one race, he faces stiff competition from defending champion Bart Swings of Belgium.
The format features semifinals before the final, testing endurance and strategy over raw speed. A win would cap an extraordinary Games for the American star.
| Event | Medal | Time/Record |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s 500m | Gold | 33.77s (OR)[3] |
| Men’s 1000m | Gold | 1:06.28 (OR)[3] |
| Men’s 1500m | Silver | 1:42.75[2] |
Key Takeaways
- Stolz’s three podiums highlight U.S. speedskating resurgence.
- Ning Zhongyan’s 1:41.98 resets 1500m Olympic benchmark.
- Mass start remains Stolz’s chance for triple gold.
Stolz’s Milan campaign already cements his status as a generational talent, with two golds and a silver underscoring his versatility. As the Games progress, his final push could elevate Team USA’s tally. What do you think of Stolz’s performance so far? Share in the comments.