Wisconsin Native Jordan Stolz Breaks Olympic Record

21-year-old speedskater wins gold in 1,000 meters at Winter Olympics in Milan

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Jordan Stolz, a 21-year-old speedskater from Kewaskum, Wisconsin, won the gold medal in the 1,000 meter event at the Winter Olympics in Milan, setting a new Olympic record time of 1 minute, 6.28 seconds. Stolz, who was competing in his second Olympics, trailed late in the race but used a blistering final lap to pass his rival Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands and claim the gold medal.

Why it matters

Stolz's gold medal win marks the first Olympic medal for a U.S. man in the 1,000 meters since 2010, when Shani Davis took home the gold. Stolz's meteoric rise to stardom has drawn comparisons to fellow Wisconsin native Eric Heiden, considered one of the greatest speedskaters of all time. Stolz's victory is a source of pride for the state of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area, where he has trained at the Pettit National Ice Center since he was a child.

The details

Stolz, who holds the 1,000-meter world record, trailed de Boo late in the race but used a blistering final lap to pull ahead and win the gold medal. His time of 1:06.28 broke the previous Olympic record of 1:07.18 set by Gerard van Velde of the Netherlands in 2002. Stolz had to wait out another pair of skaters and a 10-minute delay before his victory was made official.

  • Stolz competed in the U.S. Olympic Long Track Speedskating Trials at the Pettit National Ice Center in early January 2026.
  • Stolz won the 1,000 meter event at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Jordan Stolz

A 21-year-old speedskater from Kewaskum, Wisconsin who won the gold medal in the 1,000 meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, setting a new Olympic record.

Jenning de Boo

Stolz's top rival from the Netherlands who won the silver medal in the 1,000 meter event.

Zhongyan Ning

A speedskater from China who won the bronze medal in the 1,000 meter event.

Shani Davis

A former U.S. speedskater who won the gold medal in the 1,000 meters at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and has served as a mentor to Stolz.

Eric Heiden

A Madison, Wisconsin native who is considered one of the greatest speedskaters of all time, having won five gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Stolz will look to win additional medals in the 500 meters, 1,500 meters, and mass start events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Stolz's gold medal victory in the 1,000 meters is a proud moment for the state of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area, where he has trained since childhood. His meteoric rise to stardom has drawn comparisons to fellow Wisconsinite Eric Heiden, considered one of the greatest speedskaters ever, and marks the first U.S. men's gold medal in the 1,000 meters since 2010.