American Jordan Stolz wins 2nd speedskating gold at Winter Olympics

American speedskater Jordan Stolz won his second Olympic gold medal at the Milan Winter Olympics on Saturday, February 14, 2026, by placing first in the 500-meter event, continuing his remarkable performance at the games after previously winning gold in the 1,000-meter race. Stolz made history by becoming the first American since 1980 to win two gold medals in speedskating at a single Winter Olympics, with his 500-meter victory adding to his earlier triumph in the 1,000-meter event, which marked the first time an American medaled in that particular race since 2010. The young athlete's dominance in Milan has established him as one of the most promising talents in international speedskating, with expectations running high for his remaining competitions. Looking ahead, Stolz is scheduled to compete in two more events at the Milan Cortina Winter Games: the 1,500-meter race on Thursday and the mass start next Saturday, both of which he has indicated could showcase some of his best performances of the year. Beyond his Olympic achievements, Stolz has already established an impressive record in the sport, holding the record for the fastest 1,000-meter skate and being a two-time world champion at that distance. His remarkable form this season saw him go 5-for-5 in the World Cup circuit in the 1,000-meter event, demonstrating his consistent excellence at the highest level of competition. Professionally, Stolz skates for the Dutch speedskating team Albert Heijn Zaanlander, a move that reflects the sport's popularity in the Netherlands while also providing him with world-class training opportunities. Despite his success, Stolz remains committed to growing the sport in his home country, having previously expressed his hope to help bring greater attention and participation to speedskating in the United States. His Olympic journey began at the Beijing 2022 Games, where as a 17-year-old he finished 14th in the 1,000 and 13th in the 500, setting the stage for his current breakthrough performance in Milan.