Jordan Stoltz made his Olympic debut in the 2026 Winter Games, but many people in the U.S. still don’t know who he is.
Even in Wisconsin, his home state, the 21-year-old speed skater is somewhat of an unknown entity.
This is largely because speed skating isn’t exactly a mainstream sport here. Most Americans tune in for it only during the Winter Olympics every four years. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany have embraced it, and Stoltz has become quite the star there.
I first took notice of him because of this hat. When he clinched the world all-around title in the Netherlands back in 2023, he was decked out in a vibrant, flower-covered hat—a prized possession given only to champions and reused by winners thereafter.
Fast forward a little over two years, and that hat made its return just in time for the most significant highlight of his career. Stoltz earned gold in the 1,000-meter race, smashing a 24-year Olympic record with an impressive time of 1:06.28.
He donned that famous cap again during his victory lap. This time, though, there’s no doubt about his status. He’s on his way to becoming an American sensation. Stoltz has three additional opportunities to nab gold in Milan—in the 500m, 1500m, and mass start events, aiming to establish himself as one of the world’s top speed skaters.
“It’s difficult to say, ‘Oh, maybe we can win four gold medals,’ without having won any yet,” Stoltz admitted after his victory. “But now that we’ve got one under our belt, we know what to expect and can feel the crowd’s energy on the ice.”
Interestingly enough, Stoltz almost missed out on his Olympic triumph. He was trailing Netherlands’ Jenning de Vu until the final lap when he surged past with just 400 meters remaining. To add to the drama, Joep Wenemar had to wait 15 extra minutes to confirm his skated victory afterward.
Afterwards, Stoltz mentioned that he aimed to pace himself with Debboud for the final 600 meters. Instead, he decided to “lower his arms and attack with all my might,” ultimately leaving Debou behind.
“I anticipated it, but his last lap was really stunning. As I reached 800 meters, I heard him coming and realized it was too late,” Debou commented.
Stoltz’s sights are set on joining the ranks of athletes like Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen, Soviet speed skater Lidiya Skobrikova, and American Eric Heiden—who are the few to have won four or more gold medals in a single Winter Olympics.
These ambitions come from someone who started speed skating on a DIY track in his backyard.
The spark ignited in 2010 when a five-year-old Stoltz visited Vancouver to watch the Winter Olympics. The sheer speed of athletes like Apolo Anton Ohno and Shani Davis left a lasting impression.
Supporting this dream, his parents, Dirk and Jane Stoltz, went to great lengths. Dirk would shovel snow off their pond in Cuscum, Wisconsin, to create a makeshift skating track. They even took skating lessons to coach him and his sister, Hannah.
Initially apprehensive, Jane would put life jackets on Stolz and Hannah while also checking the ice’s safety, saying, “I always worried they might drown,” she shared, “Dirk believed the ice was thick enough, but I wasn’t willing to take chances.”
As Stoltz grew, he joined the Badger Speed Skating Club and soon participated in competitive events.
The Stoltz family made numerous sacrifices to support his burgeoning career. With alternating schedules to ensure one parent was always available for practice, they balanced work and family life.
However, as his training intensified, it became evident that something had to give. Public school became challenging due to missed classes for races.
So, at just 10 years old, they made the switch to homeschooling.
To afford the increasingly costly equipment, they launched a taxidermy business from their basement alongside their regular jobs.
The dedication they put in has certainly reaped benefits.
By age 16, Stoltz secured his first U.S. senior national title in the 500 meters. The following year at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, he faced some challenges, finishing last among 41 competitors in the 500m Division B race.
Nonetheless, he remained undeterred. Later that year, he won both the 500m and 1,000m at the Olympic Trials and represented the U.S. at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. There, he finished 13th in the 500 meters and 14th in the 1,000 meters, making him one of the youngest American males to compete in long track speed skating.
This experience served as his formal introduction to elite competition. Over the next three years and seven championships, he gained recognition, especially in Europe.
At the 2023 World Championships, he dominated by winning in the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m events, repeating his success in subsequent competitions.
His international achievements have garnered respect from former Olympians. Heiden, who was seen alongside Snoop Dogg during Stoltz’s latest race, and Davis, whose influence got him into the sport, have both expressed admiration.
“Jordan ticks all the boxes,” Davis remarked, adding, “He seems to have no weaknesses, and we’re seeing that more than ever.”
Stoltz is being looked at as a key figure at this year’s Olympics. For European fans, this excitement is nothing new. His parents recalled visiting a Dutch restaurant a few months ago, where they were recognized by fans eager to snap pictures and say hi.
After his star performance on Wednesday and the possibility of earning three more medals, it’s likely he’ll face even more attention upon returning home.
