Jordan Stolz takes silver in intense 1500m race

Jordan Stoltz’s Olympic Journey

For Jordan Stoltz, it’s more than just three gold medals. Well, at least for now.

This American speed skating star secured a silver medal in the 1,500 meters on Thursday morning, in what was somewhat of an upset against heavy expectations. The gold medal went to China’s Ning Zhongyan.

Stoltz, only 21, had already set Olympic records in the men’s 500m and 1,000m, earning his first two gold medals. But, the competition in the 1,500m was, well, a different ballgame.

It quickly became evident that clinching victory would be a monumental task. For instance, Dutch skater Joop Wenemar clocked in a new Olympic record of 1:43.05. But, that record barely had time to settle.

Kjeld Nuis, who is a two-time Olympic champion, also fell short, as Zhongyan overcame him with a winning time of 1 minute 41.98 seconds.

Stoltz has a strategy for the 1,500m: conserve energy for a strong finish. He did manage to shave about a second off his time during the last lap, but—here’s the catch—he still finished 0.77 seconds behind the gold medal pace.

The Wisconsin native now has another shot at adding to his medal haul when he competes in the men’s mass start speed skating event this Sunday.

2026 Winter Olympics

Stoltz is aiming to be the first American athlete in any sport to win two or more golds at a single Winter Olympics since the iconic Eric Heiden achieved five gold medals during the 1980 Lake Placid Games.

Heiden himself remarked, “I’m honored to be mentioned alongside Jordan Stoltz. That kid is something else.”

Stoltz has previously been a two-time world champion in the 1,500 meters and a reigning World Cup champion. Interestingly, his sole loss in the last nine World Cup 1,500-meter races happened when he was battling pneumonia and strep throat in late February 2025.

However, this is his first Olympic experience at this distance, especially considering he wasn’t even a participant in the 1,500 at the previous Winter Olympics when he was just 17.