Jordan Stolz Wins Silver, Brings Home 3 Olympic Medals

Jordan Stolz didn't just compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He dominated, bringing home three medals and rewriting American speedskating history.

The young American captured silver in the 1,500-meter race on Thursday, finishing just 0.77 seconds behind China's Ning Zhongyan. While he missed the top spot, Stolz's performance capped off a stunning Games that saw him win gold medals in both the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events.

Stolz set Olympic records in both of his gold medal races. His victories made him the first American since the legendary Eric Heiden in 1980 to win two speedskating golds at a single Olympics.

The 500-meter win was particularly special for Team USA. No American had stood atop that podium since Joey Cheek in 2006, also in Italy.

Stolz entered the Milan Games as perhaps the best speedskater on the planet. At just 22 years old, he already had 17 international titles to his name, including 1,500-meter gold medals at the 2025 Four Continents Championship and back-to-back World Single Distances Championships in 2023 and 2024.

The Bright Side

While silver might feel like a near-miss, Stolz's three-medal performance represents a renaissance for American speedskating. For decades, the sport struggled to recapture the magic of the 1980 "Miracle" era.

Now, a new generation has a new hero. Stolz's success is inspiring young skaters across the country to lace up and chase their Olympic dreams.

His performance against the world's best proves that American speedskating is back on top. With years of competition still ahead of him, Stolz is just getting started.

Three Olympic medals at age 22 isn't a disappointment—it's the beginning of a legacy.