Jordan Stolz, 21, Breaks 23-Year Olympic Speed Skating Record

A 21-year-old from Wisconsin just broke a speed skating record that's been untouchable for 23 years.

Jordan Stolz glided to Olympic gold in Milan on Wednesday, finishing the men's 1,000-meter in 1:06.28. His time shattered the Olympic record of 1:07.18 set in 2002, the year before he was even born.

After crossing the finish line, Stolz faced an agonizing 10-minute wait while the final skater completed a re-skate. When his gold medal was confirmed, he couldn't hold back his smile.

The victory marks a stunning turnaround for the young athlete. At just 17, Stolz made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022 but finished 13th and 14th in his events.

Four years later, everything changed. Under coach Bob Corby, Stolz transformed into a powerhouse on the ice, racking up seven world championships and dominating World Cup rankings across multiple distances.

The Olympic record wasn't even his personal best. Stolz still holds the world record of 1:05.37, which he set in 2024.

Dutch skater Jenning de Boo took silver with the same time as Stolz, while China's Ning Zhongyan earned bronze at 1:07.34.

Why This Inspires

Stolz's journey from disappointed teenager to record-breaking champion shows what dedication and the right coaching can achieve. His transformation in just four years reminds us that early setbacks don't define our potential.

The young skater still has three more chances at gold in Milan. He'll compete in the 500-meter, 1,500-meter, and the mass start event where all racers begin together.

Only two athletes have ever won four gold medals at a single Winter Olympics. American Eric Heiden stands alone with five golds from a single Winter Games in 1980.

At 21, Stolz has already proven he belongs among the greatest speed skaters in history, and his best years may still be ahead of him.