American Speed Skater Jordan Stolz Shatters Olympic Record to Claim Second Gold at Milano Cortina 2026
A Historic Night on the Ice
At just 21 years old, Jordan Stolz delivered one of the most dominant performances of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, winning gold in the men’s 500-meter speed skating event and setting a new Olympic record in the process. Stolz crossed the finish line in an astonishing 33.77 seconds, shaving eleven-hundredths off the previous Olympic best and finishing just sixteen-hundredths shy of the world record. Skating alongside Dutch rival Jenning De Boo—who posted a remarkable 33.88 seconds—both athletes became the first in Olympic history to break the 34-second barrier in the men’s 500 meters. Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil, who had briefly held the Olympic record at 34.26 seconds moments earlier, had to settle for bronze.
Stolz’s victory marks his second gold of these Games after winning the 1,000-meter event earlier, making him the first American speed skater since Eric Heiden in 1980 to claim two golds in a single Olympics. It’s also the first U.S. gold in the 500 meters since Joey Cheek’s triumph in Turin 2006. Entering the Games already regarded as perhaps the best speed skater in the world—with 17 international titles and the 1,000-meter world record (1:05.37 set in 2024)—Stolz continues to rewrite the record books. His 1,000-meter Olympic time of 1:06.28 also set a new Olympic mark, cementing his dominance across distances.
From Underdog to Double Champion
What makes Stolz’s achievement even more remarkable is the context: he shared the ice with De Boo in both races, consistently outpacing one of the sport’s top competitors. The 500-meter final unfolded under intense pressure, with Dubreuil’s record-breaking run raising the stakes moments before Stolz took the ice. Yet the young American stayed composed, turning on the jets in the final stretch to secure a victory that felt both inevitable and breathtaking. This is more than two medals—it’s a statement that American speed skating has a new generational leader.
Stolz’s back-to-back golds have electrified Team USA and inspired fans worldwide, proving that youth, talent, and relentless drive can redefine what’s possible on the fastest ice in the world. A performance for the history books—one that will be replayed for years to come as the moment Jordan Stolz truly arrived as a legend in the making.
