Jordan Stolz: A Rising Star in Speedskating
As the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics approach, 21-year-old Jordan Stolz is emerging as a potential standout, drawing comparisons to the legendary Eric Heiden, who famously captured five gold medals in speedskating during the 1980 Lake Placid Games. Stolz, hailing from Wisconsin, expressed his appreciation for the flattering comparison while emphasizing that his pursuit of medals in up to five events is a different challenge compared to Heiden’s historic feats nearly half a century ago.
Unique Olympic Journey
In an interview, Stolz noted,
“It’s really not an exact comparison,”
highlighting the unique circumstances of his Olympic journey. He has qualified for the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meter races and is also eyeing the mass start event—a 6,400 meter race involving multiple skaters—and potentially the team pursuit, where he would join teammates for a joint effort. If everything goes well on the track, Stolz believes he stands a strong chance of claiming gold. His coach, Bob Corby, added that Stolz could participate in the team pursuit if needed due to unforeseen circumstances like illness or injury among teammates.
Achievements and Recognition
Known for his achievements, Stolz is a two-time world champion across his primary distances and holds the world record in the 1,000 meter event. His impressive eleven-race winning streak has earned him the nickname “Straaljager,” or “Fighter Jet,” from the Dutch, speedskating’s historically dominant nation. U.S. Speedskating national coach Ryan Shimabukuro proudly declared Stolz as the best skater in the world, reinforcing the belief that he could be a key figure in these Games.
Inspiration and Determination
Stolz’s journey to the Olympics is inspiring, having been sparked by watching short track star Apolo Ohno during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games when he was just five years old. With encouragement from his parents, who transformed their backyard into a makeshift skating venue, he honed his skills from a young age. His mother, Jane, describes his determination:
“It’s a talent. It’s a gift. And he’s driven to continue to improve.”
Facing High Expectations
As the competition approaches, Stolz is not letting the pressure of high expectations affect him. As he reflected on his growth over the years leading up to these Olympics, he shared his calm demeanor:
“As long as nothing gets in the way, then I should be fine. I’ve had a lot of high-pressure races, I guess you could say, so I don’t think that’s that big of an issue.”
With the Olympics set to kick off on February 6, all eyes will be on Stolz to see if he can indeed become the next American speedskating icon.
