MILAN — Jordan Stolz, who has become a formidable athlete in speed skating, faced a surprising turn of events during the Olympic Games held in Milan. On Thursday night, the Wisconsin native found himself on the second-place podium after the 1,500 meters, a position unfamiliar for someone who has consistently dominated the ice. As Ning Zhongyan from China celebrated his victory, jumping into the air after clinching gold with an Olympic record time of 1 minute 41.98 seconds, Stolz stood still, reflecting a flicker of emotion amidst his usual calm demeanor.
Coming into the Games, Stolz was a favorite to sweep the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters, aiming for a historic trifecta that would draw comparisons to Eric Heiden’s five-gold performance in 1980. Having already secured two gold medals in earlier events, the 21-year-old’s aspirations for a complete set seemed within reach. However, his path took an unexpected turn as he finished the race with a time of 1:42.75, placing him 0.77 seconds behind Ning. The bronze medal went to Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands, who finished at 1:42.82.
Stolz admitted that his performance did not start as crisply as hoped. He marked an initial lap of 25.46 seconds, falling short of the pace set by Ning. In his words, “I just couldn’t hold it to the finish to be able to beat his time.” This moment of introspection demonstrated the rarity of Stolz’s unexpected silver medal, especially in a race he was favored to win, having previously dominated the World Cup circuit.
Ning, on the other hand, expressed his surprise and elation at his victory. After previously finishing behind Stolz in their encounters, he was ecstatic to finally surpass the “mountain” that Stolz represented in his racing career. For Ning, claiming gold, following his earlier bronze medals in both the men’s 1,000 and the team pursuit at these Games, signaled a breakthrough moment.
Despite the disappointment of not securing a third gold, Stolz remained positive, emphasizing that two golds and a silver still represent significant achievements. “Two gold medals in itself is already a huge accomplishment,” he said, reflecting on his overall performance.
As the Olympics continue, Stolz still has the mass start event ahead, offering him another opportunity to add to his medal tally. Far from the end of his competitive journey, Stolz has now established himself as a central figure in Team USA’s speed skating landscape. With aspirations extending to future Olympics, he confidently stated, “I can go to 2030, for sure. I think I can make some improvements.”
The resilience and determination displayed by Stolz highlight the potential he embodies as he continues to grow within the sport, suggesting that his best performances may still lie ahead of him.