American Jordan Stolz wins third Olympic medal

U.S. Olympian Jordan Stolz narrowly missed out on his third gold medal of the 2026 Winter Games on Thursday, settling for a silver in the men’s 1,500-meter speed skating event.

Stolz was only 0.77 seconds behind China’s Ning Zhongyan. Ning set an Olympic record with a time of 1:41.98. Stolz finished ahead of Dutchman Kjeld Nuis. Stolz teamed with Norwegian Pedar Kongshaug, who finished sixth with a time of 1:43.93.

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It was heartbreaking for Stolz, even though he had an incredible Games this year. He won a gold medal in the 1,500 meters at the 2025 Four Continents Championship and the 2024 and 2023 World Single Distance Championships. But a silver medal against the best in the world is no reason to be dismissive.

Stolz won two gold medals earlier at the Olympics.

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American Jordan Stolz won a silver medal in the men’s 1,500 meter speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

He set an Olympic record in the 500 meters and won a gold medal there. He also set an Olympic record in the 1,000 meters, also winning a gold medal.

Stolz is the first American since Eric Heiden in 1980 to win two gold medals in speed skating. Stolz also won the 1,000 meter race earlier in the Games. It’s the first American gold medal in the 500 since Joey Cheek did it in 2006, also in Italy.

American Jordan Stolz waves to fans during a warm-up for the men’s 1,500-meter speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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He already entered the Games as perhaps the best speed skater in the world. When he arrived in Milan, he already had 17 international titles.