Jordan Stolz: Frontrunner at the Milan Cortina Olympics
At the highly anticipated Milan Cortina Olympics, American speedskater Jordan Stolz is entering the men’s 1,000 meters as the frontrunner. The 21-year-old athlete from Wisconsin has distinguished himself this season by claiming the world record for the distance and winning two world championship titles. Additional acclaim comes from his flawless performance on the World Cup circuit, where he achieved victory in all five races leading up to the Olympics, solidifying his position as the athlete to watch.
Overcoming Adversity
In a noteworthy turn of events during the U.S. Olympic trials in Milwaukee earlier this year, Stolz faced adversity when he fell shortly after starting the 1,000 meters. Remarkably, he managed to recover and finish with the third-best time of the day. The 1,000-meter competition was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. ET) with 29 competitors set to take the track. Stolz was placed in the 14th heat, racing against Dutch competitor Jenning de Boo.
Competition Schedule and Potential
This event marks the beginning of a robust competition schedule for Stolz, who has the potential of securing four gold medals during his time in Milan. Following two days of rest, he is also slated to compete in the 500 meters on Saturday, the 1,500 meters on February 19, and the mass start event on February 21, which will close out the speedskating events at these Winter Games.
Comparisons to Eric Heiden
Stolz’s career has often drawn comparisons to Eric Heiden, the only speedskater to have won five gold medals in long track events at a single Olympics. Heiden achieved this feat at the 1980 Lake Placid Games, winning across all five distances. Stolz acknowledges the honors of being compared to a legend like Heiden but emphasizes that their Olympic journeys differ significantly, as Heiden competed in a wider range of distances.
Main Competitors
However, Stolz is currently the top competitor in sprint events. His main threats in the 1,000 meters include Damian Zurek of Poland, who has finished second to Stolz in numerous World Cup events, and Kjeld Nuis, the reigning Olympic champion from the Netherlands who won gold in both the 1,500 meters in 2018 and 2022. Notably, Dutch athletes have dominated the men’s 1,000 meters at the past three Winter Games.
Significance of a Medal
For Stolz, a medal would mark a significant milestone for the U.S. in this event, as it would be the first since Shani Davis, who aided in mentoring Stolz, won gold in the 2010 Vancouver Games, along with Chad Hedrick’s bronze finish. With such a record and the spirit of competition, Stolz is poised to make an impactful mark at these Olympics.
