Jordan Stolz Sets Olympic Record to Claim Second Speed Skating Gold
Milan, Saturday, 14 February 2026.
American phenom Jordan Stolz secured his second gold in Milan today, shattering the Olympic record with a blistering 33.77-second finish in the men’s 500-meter event.
Dominance on the Ice
The 21-year-old Wisconsin native’s performance at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium was nothing short of clinical. Stolz crossed the finish line in 33.77 seconds, securing the top spot on the podium and etching his name into the record books [1][2]. He faced stiff competition from the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo, who finished with a time of 33.88 seconds to take the silver medal [2]. The margin of victory was a razor-thin 0.11 seconds, highlighting the precision required at this elite level [2][3]. Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil claimed the bronze medal, finishing in 34.26 seconds [2]. Notably, Stolz’s winning time was just 0.08 seconds shy of his personal best of 33.69 seconds, which he set at the Calgary Olympic Oval [3].
A Historic Pursuit
This victory marks a significant resurgence for American men’s speed skating. Stolz is the first American man to win gold in the 500-meter event since Joey Cheek took the title at the 2006 Turin Games, ending a two-decade drought for Team USA in this discipline [3][5]. Furthermore, this win keeps Stolz on track for a historic quadruple gold haul. He previously secured gold in the 1,000-meter event on Wednesday, February 11, where he also established a new Olympic record [1][4]. With two gold medals now in hand, Stolz is halfway to matching a rare echelon of Olympic greatness; only two other athletes have won four gold medals in a single Winter Games [1].
Broadcast Value and Future Schedule
Stolz’s continued dominance provides a compelling narrative for broadcasters NBC and Peacock as viewership focuses on American success stories in Milan [4]. The young skater is chasing the legacy of Eric Heiden, the legendary speed skater who swept five gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid Games [1][4]. As the Games progress, attention now shifts to Stolz’s remaining events. He is scheduled to compete in the 1,500 meters on Thursday, February 19, followed by the mass start on Saturday, February 21 [1][4]. These upcoming races represent the final hurdles in his quest to become one of the most decorated athletes in Winter Olympic history.