MILAN (AP) — Jordan Stolz was going to try to win his second gold medal in speed skating Milan Cortina Olympic Games Saturday, competing in the 500 meters.
The 21-year-old from Wisconsin just released a victory in Wednesday’s 1000mthe first of his four individual events at the 2026 Winter Games. He is considered a contender for gold in the four. The men’s record for most speed skating titles at a single Olympics is five for Eric Heiden at Lake Placid in 1980 – who was also the last man to win the 500 and 1,000m at the same Games.
Advertisement
The last American to win Olympic gold in the men’s 500m was Casey FitzRandolph in 2002.
The 500m races were scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), and Stolz placed 13th of 15 two-man heats. In a fascinating pairing, he was to face reigning 500m world champion Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, the man who was runner-up in the 1000m. In that race, de Boo held the lead after 600 meters, before Stolz overtook him in a terrific final lap.
After this race, Stolz was asked if there should be more medals to come.
“I hope so. I feel like it gives you an idea of what it’s going to be like. There’s a little less pressure now that I have a gold medal,” Stolz said. “Because one gold medal is already pretty big, right? It would be great to have two, three, right? But to have just one means a lot.”
Advertisement
When asked that day how he planned to prepare for the 500, Stolz replied: “Just try to prepare yourself mentally. It was good preparation, because you kind of know what to expect. I think I should be good.”
He and de Boo were the favorites in the shortest event in speed skating.
Stolz is a double world champion in the 500m, as well as the 1,000 and 1,500, which will be contested on Thursday. He is also registered for the group start on February 21.
This is the second U.S. Olympic Games. He finished 13th in the 500 and 14th in the 1000 at the 2022 Beijing Games at age 17.
Also on the program for Saturday’s speed skating, before the 500m, were the women’s quarterfinals. team pursuit. The medals for this event will be determined on Tuesday.
___
PA Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
