Jordan Stolz Wins 3 Medals for Team USA in Milan

Jordan Stolz stood on the Olympic podium in Milan and heard the U.S. national anthem play twice, marking two gold medals and one silver in speedskating. The young athlete says that moment made every sacrifice worthwhile.

Stolz dominated the 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold in both the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races, plus silver in the 1,500-meter event. His parents were there to watch him shine, a stark contrast to the Beijing Games where families couldn't attend.

The path to Olympic glory required major sacrifices from his family. His dad worked the night shift while his mom worked days, coordinating complex schedules to shuttle him to practice and competitions. They believed in his potential long before anyone else did, funding his training and dedicating countless hours to his dream.

Teammate Erin Jackson competed alongside Stolz, carrying the American flag as a co-bearer during the opening ceremonies. The historic athlete made headlines in 2022 as the first Black woman to win speedskating gold, but this time she went home without a medal after battling injuries throughout the season.

Jackson says the experience taught her invaluable lessons about resilience. She lost significant training time to injuries but fought her way back to compete at the highest level. Her philosophy centers on keeping perspective: winning feels amazing, but losing creates opportunities to learn and grow stronger.

Why This Inspires

Both athletes emphasized that happiness and family support matter more than medals. Jackson, who started skating as a hobby rather than a serious sport, maintains a calm approach that helps her perform under pressure. She views her entire professional skating career as a bonus, which frees her to compete with joy rather than fear.

Stolz echoed similar gratitude for his support system. Hearing the national anthem while standing on the podium represented the culmination of his family's belief and sacrifice. His mother's optimism about his potential paired with his father's cautious hope created the perfect environment for excellence.

For both athletes, representing Team USA transcends personal achievement. Jackson described the Olympics as a unifying force that brings Americans together to cheer for their country. Stolz said supporting his country means everything, making those anthem moments on the podium the highlight of his Olympic experience.

Their partnership with Hershey's "happiness is the real gold" campaign reflected their genuine values about competition and life. The message resonated because both athletes live it: success matters, but the journey and the people who support you matter more.