West Des Moines' Zach Stoppelmoor to compete in Olympic 500M speed skating

Stoppelmoor's hometown watch party planned at Skate South Des Moines

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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West Des Moines native Zach Stoppelmoor is set to make his Olympic debut on Saturday, competing in the Men's 500 meter speed skating event. Stoppelmoor, who began inline skating at age 7, will be joined by two other Team USA speed skaters in the race. Stoppelmoor's hometown of Des Moines is hosting a watch party at Skate South Des Moines during the event.

Why it matters

Stoppelmoor's appearance in the Olympics represents a major achievement for the young speed skater and is a source of pride for his hometown of Des Moines. The watch party at Skate South Des Moines allows the community to come together and support one of their own as he competes on the world's biggest athletic stage.

The details

Zach Stoppelmoor will be competing in the Men's 500 meter speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Stoppelmoor, who began inline skating at age 7, is joined on Team USA by fellow speed skaters Cooper McLeod and Austin Kleba. The trio set the world record in team sprint during the 2024-25 season at an International Skating Union World Cup Event.

  • Stoppelmoor's race is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Central on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Skate South Des Moines will be hosting a watch party from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the day of the race.

The players

Zach Stoppelmoor

A speed skater from West Des Moines, Iowa who is making his Olympic debut in the Men's 500 meter event.

Cooper McLeod

A fellow Team USA speed skater competing alongside Stoppelmoor in the Olympics.

Austin Kleba

A fellow Team USA speed skater competing alongside Stoppelmoor in the Olympics.

Skate South Des Moines

A skating rink in Des Moines, Iowa that is hosting a watch party for Stoppelmoor's Olympic race.

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What they’re saying

“Zach Stoppelmoor's appearance in the Olympics is a major accomplishment for our community. We're excited to come together and cheer him on at the watch party.”

— Unnamed, Skate South Des Moines spokesperson

What’s next

Stoppelmoor will look to medal in the Men's 500 meter speed skating event, which would be a historic achievement for the young athlete from Iowa.

The takeaway

Stoppelmoor's Olympic debut showcases the power of community support and how a hometown can rally behind one of its own as they compete on the world stage. His journey is an inspiration for young athletes in Des Moines and across Iowa.