At just 21 years old, Jordan Stolz has reshaped the landscape of international long‑track speed skating, capturing the imagination of audiences around the world and rewriting speed skating history books along the way. As of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Stolz stands not only as one of the most dominant competitors on ice but also as a symbol of the new generation of athletes who transcend borders and redefine what is possible in winter sport.
Humble Beginnings in Wisconsin
Stolz was born on May 21, 2004, in West Bend, Wisconsin, and grew up in the nearby small town of Kewaskum, USA. From a very early age, he was drawn to the ice; his first blades were strapped on at age five on a frozen backyard pond – a far cry from the packed arenas he would later skate in as a world champion. His parents, Dirk and Jane Stolz, provided unwavering support, fostering an environment where passion met persistence, enabling Stolz to pursue competitive skating seriously.
Like so many legendary athletes before him, his early experience was not marked by expensive facilities or elite coaching, but by determination and countless hours on makeshift ice. His transition from casual skating to elite competition came quickly, and by his teenage years, Stolz had already begun turning heads in the world of speed skating – a sport traditionally dominated by Europeans, especially the Netherlands.
Breaking Through: First National and International Success
Junior and Early Senior Career (2021–2023)
Stolz’s rise up the ranks was explosive. He set multiple junior national records and quickly transitioned to senior competition. By age 17, he was already competing on the senior international circuit. He recorded senior World Cup medals and impressive times early in his career, signaling that he was more than just a promising young talent.
His major breakthrough came when he became the youngest speed skater ever to win a world championship title — an achievement at the 2023 ISU World Single Distances Championships where he captured gold in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m races, executing an unprecedented clean sweep. This feat alone would have cemented his place among speed skating’s elite; doing it at such a young age was historic.
Dominance Across Distances and World Cups (2024–2025)
Rather than specialize, Stolz continued to excel across sprint and middle distances — a rarity in a sport where athletes often focus on just one event type.
World Championships and World Cup Seasons
He repeated his dominance by sweeping multiple World Championships and establishing himself as a consistent winner in the world cup circuit, especially in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m distances. During the 2024–25 World Cup season, he recorded an astonishing run that included 18 consecutive wins across these distances, an unparalleled streak in modern competition.
He also overcame significant adversity — most notably battling pneumonia and strep throat during the 2024–25 season — yet still returned to capture podium finishes and multiple medals at the World Single Distances Championships.
In late 2025, his world cup performances continued to set records. At events in Hamar, Norway, Stolz not only won races but set track records in the 500m and 1000m, demonstrating his raw speed and versatility.
2026 Winter Olympics: A Legacy in Real Time
The 2026 Winter Olympics was Stolz’s moment to step into the global spotlight like never before.
Historic Wins in Milano Cortina
At the Olympics, Stolz delivered performances that will be remembered long after the Games have ended:
- He captured gold in the 1000m, setting a new Olympic record and winning by the largest margin in decades.
- He followed this with a second gold in the 500m, again with an Olympic record time of 33.77 seconds.
By winning both the 500m and 1000m at one Games, Stolz joined the exclusive company of legendary American Eric Heiden — the last man to achieve this double — and recaptured a feat not seen in 32 years.
Global Recognition and Rivalries
Stolz’s success at the Olympics didn’t occur in isolation; part of what makes his career so compelling is the rivalries he has fashioned — particularly with skaters like Dutch competitors Jenning de Boo and Joep Wennemars. Their battles on the ice have been intense and closely watched, showcasing not just Stolz’s physical abilities but also the drama and strategy that high‑level competition brings to the sport.
A New Speed Skating Paradigm
Unlike most elite skaters who specialize in either sprint or endurance events, Stolz has proven effective across multiple distances – an ability that draws comparisons to the most versatile legends of the sport.
Legacy Comparisons and the GOAT Debate
It’s early in his career to definitively label Stolz the greatest of all time, yet many observers are already discussing that possibility. His range across distances, his speed, and his championship performances recall the legendary achievements of Eric Heiden, who won all five speed skating events at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics – still considered one of the greatest feats in Olympic history.
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