US Speedskater Jordan Stolz Wins 1,000 Meters Gold in Olympic-Record Time

Gold medallist Jordan Stolz of the United States (C), silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands (L), bronze medalist Ning Zhongyan of China, celebrate on the podium of the men's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 11, 2026. Luca Bruno/AP Photo

MILAN—Jordan Stolz pictured this moment most of his life, ever since he was 5 years old, learning to skate on a frozen pond in his Wisconsin backyard after falling in love with speedskating during the 2010 Winter Olympics — and hoping to one day step atop the podium himself.

So what was the little hassle of a 10-or-so-minute wait to make sure this first speedskating gold medal would be his Wednesday?