Jordan Stolz Wins First Olympic Gold, Sets Record at 21

Jordan Stolz just announced his arrival on the Olympic stage in spectacular fashion, winning gold and smashing the Olympic record in the 1,000-meter speedskating event in Milan.

The 21-year-old from Wisconsin blazed across the ice in 1:06.28, shaving nearly a full second off the previous Olympic best. He edged out Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands and Zhongyan Ning of China to claim the top spot on the podium.

The final lap delivered pure drama. De Boo held the lead at the 600-meter mark, and Stolz felt the pressure mounting.

"I was kind of worried that maybe he was going to be able to win," Stolz admitted. "And then I thought I really can't let that happen, so I threw two arms down and went as hard as I possibly could and was able to catch him."

The victory marks a stunning turnaround from his Olympic debut. At just 17 years old in 2022, Stolz competed as the youngest male athlete on Team USA but finished outside the top ten in both his events.

Since then, he's become unstoppable. Stolz swept the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters at world championships in both 2023 and 2024, earning recognition as the youngest male World Allround champion in 46 years.

He's also riding a 14-race winning streak in the 1,000 meters at the World Cup level. Experts widely consider him the best speedskater on the planet right now.

But Wednesday's Olympic gold hit different. "It feels a bit better than I thought it would," Stolz said after the race.

"You only get one shot to win gold in the 1,000, so I was able to do that. It's one thing having people expecting you to win. Actually achieving that? The feeling is pretty unreal."

The Ripple Effect

Stolz's journey could inspire a new generation of American speedskaters. If he captures three or more gold medals in Milan, he'll join legendary Eric Heiden as the only American in any sport to achieve that feat at a single Winter Games.

The young champion still has three events ahead: the 500 meters, 1,500 meters, and possibly the mass start. With his first gold secured, he says the pressure has eased.

"It's really nice to get the first one out," Stolz explained. "Getting an experience of what it's like with the crowd and the pressure and the buildup. Now you know what to expect."

From teenage underdog to record-breaking champion, Jordan Stolz is showing the world what four years of dedication can achieve.