Jordan Stolz Wins Silver in Surprising Men’s 1,500m Speedskating Event
Jordan Stolz secured a silver medal in the men’s 1,500-meters at the 2026 Winter Olympics, falling short in a competitive race. At just 21 years old, Stolz needed to achieve an Olympic record to clinch gold but finished less than a second behind Ning Zhongyan from China, who took first place.
Medal Standings and Performance
- Gold Medalist: Ning Zhongyan (China)
- Silver Medalist: Jordan Stolz (USA)
- Bronze Medalist: Kjeld Nuis (Netherlands)
Kjeld Nuis, who had previously won gold in the 1,500 meters in the last two Winter Olympics, placed third in this event held at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. The race was marked by multiple Olympic records being set, beginning with Joep Weenemars, who led the charge.
Stolz’s Race Details
In the final heat, Stolz recorded a time of 1:42.75. Despite a strong performance, he could not match the pace set by Zhongyan and Nuis, both of whom also surpassed the previous Olympic record in this event.
Stolz’s Achievements at the Olympics
This silver medal adds to Stolz’s impressive tally of three medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He previously secured a gold medal in the 500 meters and another in the 1,000 meters. In both of those events, he set new Olympic records.
Comparisons to Past Athletes
Stolz’s achievements place him in an elite group. He aimed to join Eric Heiden as a distinguished American speedskater, who won five gold medals during the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. However, Stolz missed this milestone as he has one final event remaining.
Upcoming Events
The speedskating men’s mass start is scheduled for Saturday, where Stolz will have one last opportunity to compete. His performance in the 2026 Winter Olympics remains noteworthy as he continues to establish himself in the world of speedskating.
