American Jordan Stolz waves to spectators after winning gold and setting an Olympic record in the men’s 1,000 meters at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 11. [Photo=Yonhap]
American Jordan Stolz won gold in the men’s 1,000 meters in speedskating, setting a new Olympic record and putting himself in position to contend for more medals in Milan.
Stolz clocked 1 minute, 6.28 seconds on Wednesday (Korea time) at the Milan speedskating stadium in Italy, breaking the previous Olympic mark.
“An Olympic gold medal is a chance that comes only once every four years,” Stolz said after the race. “I felt a lot of pressure, but I raced the way I prepared.”
Stolz has already established himself internationally as a multi-event threat. In December, he swept the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and mass start at an International Skating Union World Cup, and he has continued that form by winning three events at the world championships this season. He is known for both sprint speed and strong race management at middle distances. He also set a World Cup mark as the first male skater to win five titles at a single meet.
At the Beijing Olympics four years ago, Stolz finished without a medal. Then a teenager, he has since improved his conditioning and race strategy to become one of the world’s top skaters. In U.S. speedskating, he has been mentioned as a potential successor to Eric Heiden in the multi-gold tradition.
At these Games, Stolz is also entered in the 500, 1,500 and mass start. His main rivals include Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands in the 500 and Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands, a two-time Olympic champion, in the 1,500.
“After winning my first gold, I feel like I’ve gotten a sense for the arena atmosphere and the ice,” Stolz said. “I’m expecting good results in the remaining races.”
Stolz clocked 1 minute, 6.28 seconds on Wednesday (Korea time) at the Milan speedskating stadium in Italy, breaking the previous Olympic mark.
“An Olympic gold medal is a chance that comes only once every four years,” Stolz said after the race. “I felt a lot of pressure, but I raced the way I prepared.”
Stolz has already established himself internationally as a multi-event threat. In December, he swept the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and mass start at an International Skating Union World Cup, and he has continued that form by winning three events at the world championships this season. He is known for both sprint speed and strong race management at middle distances. He also set a World Cup mark as the first male skater to win five titles at a single meet.
At the Beijing Olympics four years ago, Stolz finished without a medal. Then a teenager, he has since improved his conditioning and race strategy to become one of the world’s top skaters. In U.S. speedskating, he has been mentioned as a potential successor to Eric Heiden in the multi-gold tradition.
At these Games, Stolz is also entered in the 500, 1,500 and mass start. His main rivals include Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands in the 500 and Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands, a two-time Olympic champion, in the 1,500.
“After winning my first gold, I feel like I’ve gotten a sense for the arena atmosphere and the ice,” Stolz said. “I’m expecting good results in the remaining races.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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