Speed Skating: Jordan Stolz Crowned Olympic Champion With Record-Breaking Run

Jordan Stolz delivered on the hype surrounding him in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, powering to gold in the men’s 1,000 metres at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and setting a new Olympic record in the process.

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Stolz produced a composed, technically sharp race, going fast through the opening 200 metres before being controlled down the back straight and relentless over the closing lap. After crossing the line, he glanced up at the scoreboard and allowed himself a brief nod of satisfaction.

The 21-year-old American stopped the clock in 1:06.28, eclipsing the long-standing Olympic mark and confirming his status as the dominant middle-distance sprinter of this Olympic cycle. His win came in one of the final pairings at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

The Favourite Delivers Under Pressure

Stolz arrived in Italy unbeaten in World Cup competition this season at 1,000m and carrying the weight of expectation. Still, Olympic ice has undone many favourites before him. There was no sign of nerves here.

Each lap he completed was smooth and economical, allowing him to conserve precious energy for later in the race. He powered ahead on the final stretch, using his remaining reserves to stay ahead of the field.

Behind him, Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands claimed silver, while Ning Zhongyan of China secured bronze. A late re-skate for another competitor briefly delayed confirmation of the podium, but Stolz’s time was never seriously threatened.

The gold marks Stolz’s first Olympic medal and delivers the United States its first men’s 1,000m title since 2010. For a skater already regarded as one of the sport’s brightest talents, it felt less like a breakthrough and more like a coronation.