Milan/ Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – American speed skater Jordan Stolz continued his meteoric rise by capturing gold in the men’s 1,000 meters at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Wednesday, setting a new Olympic record and marking a triumphant start to is campaign in Milan.
The 21-year-old Wisconsin native blazed through the race with a time of 1 minute, 6.28 seconds, eclipsing the previous Olympic standard that had stood since 2002. Stolz’s winning mark highlighted his dominance in the distance and matched his status as the world – record holder in the 1,000 m.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Stolz said after the race. “To be here, to do this with the crowd behind me, it’s something I’ve dreamed of, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Olympic – and U.S. – Historical Context
Stolz’s gold carries historic significance. It represents the first Olympic title in the men’s 1,000 m for the United States since 2010, when Shani Davis won gold in Vancouver. More broadly, his performance underscores the return of U.S. men to prominence in long – track speed skating, a discipline long led by the Dutch.
The win also sparks comparisons to legendary American speed skater Eric Heiden, who won five gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid Games – an achievement often considered one of the greatest in Winter Olympics history. Stolz now has multiple events remaining in Milan, including the 500 m, 1,500 m and mass start, and could continue adding to his media haul.
The Path Ahead
After a brief rest, Stolz is scheduled to compete next in the 500 m event on Saturday, followed by the 1,500 m on Feb. 19 and the mass start on Feb. 21. With his current form and confidence, many observers see him as a contender for multiple podium finishes – and potentially multiple golds – before the Games conclude.
For now, Stolz’s explosive Olympic debut has captured attention around the world and energized the U.S. team, which looks to build the momentum he created in Milan.
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