US Speed Skater Jordan Stolz Races in 1,000m at Milan Cortina Olympics

The 21-year-old American is the favorite to win gold in the event.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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American speed skater Jordan Stolz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, is heading into the men's 1,000 meters at the Milan Cortina Olympics as the favorite to win gold. Stolz enters the race as the world record holder and a two-time world champion in the event, having gone 5-for-5 on the World Cup circuit this season.

Why it matters

Stolz is looking to become the first American man to win an Olympic medal in the 1,000 meters since 2010, when Shani Davis won gold and Chad Hedrick took bronze. A gold medal for Stolz would put him in elite company, as he could potentially match the feat of Eric Heiden, the only speedskater to win five individual gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.

The details

Stolz fell during the U.S. Olympic trials in January but still managed the third-best time. He is placed in the 14th of 15 heats, racing head-to-head with contender Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands. Other top challengers include Damian Zurek of Poland and 2018 Olympic champion Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands.

  • The race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • Stolz is also entered in the 500 meters on February 18, the 1,500 on February 19, and the mass start on February 21.

The players

Jordan Stolz

A 21-year-old American speed skater who is the world record holder and a two-time world champion in the 1,000 meters.

Eric Heiden

The only speedskater to win five individual gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, accomplishing the feat at the 1980 Lake Placid Games.

Jenning de Boo

A Dutch speed skater who is one of Stolz's top challengers in the 1,000 meters.

Damian Zurek

A Polish speed skater who was the runner-up to Stolz in three World Cup races this season and is in the final heat of the 1,000 meters.

Kjeld Nuis

The 2018 Olympic champion in the 1,000 meters and the 1,500 meters.

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What they’re saying

“Stolz says he's flattered to hear about such comparisons, but also is quick to note that what Heiden accomplished was remarkably different, given his participation at all five of those distances.”

— Jordan Stolz (tmj4.com)

What’s next

After the 1,000 meters, Stolz will have two days off before competing in the 500 meters on February 18, the 1,500 meters on February 19, and the mass start on February 21, the final day of speedskating at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The takeaway

Jordan Stolz's dominance in the 1,000 meters this season has made him the favorite to win gold and potentially match the historic feat of Eric Heiden by claiming multiple individual titles at the Milan Cortina Olympics. A medal for Stolz would end a 16-year drought for the United States in the men's 1,000 meters at the Winter Games.