Jordan Stolz: Can Speed Skating’s Rising Star Become the Face of the Winter Olympics?
- Each Winter Olympics produces a defining figure, an athlete whose performance transcends medals and becomes synonymous with the Games themselves.
- The 21-year-old Wisconsin native arrives in Italy not merely as the dominant force in speed skating, but as a potential face of the entire Winter Games.
- Stolz’s Olympic campaign begins on Wednesday, February 11th, with the men’s 1000m, and the implications of his performance extend far beyond the medal count.
Each Winter Olympics produces a defining figure, an athlete whose performance transcends medals and becomes synonymous with the Games themselves. For decades, the United States has sought its next such star. At the Milano Cortina Olympics, that athlete may well be Jordan Stolz.
The 21-year-old Wisconsin native arrives in Italy not merely as the dominant force in speed skating, but as a potential face of the entire Winter Games. A seven-time world champion, Stolz is the favorite across the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m distances, with legitimate medal contention in the mass start event. His consistency over the past three seasons has been remarkable, turning defeats into statistical anomalies.
Stolz’s Olympic campaign begins on Wednesday, , with the men’s 1000m, and the implications of his performance extend far beyond the medal count. He is poised to become only the second American to win more than two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, a feat last accomplished by Eric Heiden in 1980.
“People have told me that, but I haven’t really thought about it,” Stolz said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I can’t ever plan on something being perfect. I just have to do the best I can.”
A successful run through the sprint distances – the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m – could place Stolz in rarefied Olympic company, alongside biathlon greats Ole Einar Bjørndalen and Johannes Thingnes Bø, and Soviet speed skater Lidiya Skoblikova, all of whom have won four or more gold medals at a single Winter Games. The comparisons to Michael Phelps, an athlete who transcended his sport to become a global phenomenon, are already surfacing.
NBC has already recognized Stolz’s potential, featuring him prominently in its Olympic coverage and marketing, including a recent advertisement with actor Glen Powell. While Stolz acknowledges the attention, he remains focused on the task at hand.
The journey to this point began on a frozen pond in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where a five-year-old Stolz first donned skates, wearing a lifejacket as his parents cautiously assessed the ice thickness. The 2010 Winter Olympics, and the performances of Apolo Anton Ohno, ignited a passion for speed.
The Pettit National Ice Center, a 40-minute drive from his home, became the crucible of his development. It was there, under the guidance of coaches and through relentless repetition, that Stolz honed his technique and began to separate himself from his peers. He credits the facility with providing the consistent training environment necessary for his success.
Stolz’s dedication extends beyond the ice. He meticulously analyzes his equipment, spending hours examining blades for minute imperfections that could impact his performance. He prioritizes leading his own laps in training, replicating race conditions and minimizing external variables.
His success is not merely about speed, but about engineering speed. He approaches skating as a problem to be solved, a combination of physics, technique, and relentless refinement. He holds the world record in the 1,000-meter and American records in the 500 and 1,500.
“He has won every 1,000- and 1,500-meter race this World Cup season, and five of the nine 500-meter races,” according to reporting from .
Stolz’s rise has been meteoric. He made the Olympic team at 17, won world titles at 18, and has dominated the World Cup circuit with 16 victories in 23 races. Even in a speed skating stronghold like the Netherlands, where the sport enjoys a fervent following, Stolz has become a recognized figure.
He credits former Olympic champion Shani Davis with instilling a crucial mindset: a relentless pursuit of improvement, acknowledging that perfection is unattainable. “Good. Never perfect,” Stolz recalls Davis saying.
As the Olympics approach, Stolz is attempting to treat the Games as just another competition, relying on routine to manage the pressure. He acknowledges the growing attention but remains focused on his own performance.
“I try not to think about the pressure too much,” Stolz said. “Once you get to the line, it’s the same thing you’ve been doing for years. Everything around you is just noise.”
His Olympic schedule includes the 1000m on , the 500m on , the 1500m on , and the mass start semi-finals and final on .
While Stolz is the clear favorite in many of these events, he remains grounded, acknowledging that even the smallest details can make the difference. He is prepared for the challenges of the Milan track and the intense competition he will face.
“I try not to think about all the things people will say. I just focus on how I’m feeling and what I think is possible,” Stolz said. “Many things are possible, but I have to actually do it.”
Stolz’s approach is simple: 95 percent ready, focused on execution, and prepared to let his performance speak for itself. As he steps onto the Olympic ice, he carries not only the hopes of a nation but also the weight of expectation, poised to define a new era of American speed skating.