February 19, 2026 – Milan, Italy – One more race and one more Olympic medal for U.S. speedskater Jordan Stolz who added a silver to his collection from the 1500m. It came behind a blazing performance from China’s Ning Zhongyan, who clocked 1:41, and ahead of 36-year-old Dutch veteran Kjeld Nuis, who earned bronze with a time of 1:42.82.
Stolz knew early the bar was set pretty high as Joep Wennemars set a new Olympic record, followed by Zhongyan who also then set a new Olympic record.
“I knew Ning’s time was 1.41. And I thought that was the best time for probably the best race of his life,” Stolz said. “And I didn’t have my best race, so it was kind of hard to compete with his. But yeah, he was just really good today.”
When he saw the splits, Stolz tried to answer.
“I thought I could probably beat it, but when I saw the first split with 25.4, and I was attacking as hard as I could, I thought I was going to be kind of close, but he was just better,” Stolz said. “With 25.4, I was attacking as hard as I could. I saw 5.4, and I thought I was pushing a bit harder than that. I didn’t quite feel it in the legs.”
For an athlete known for flipping on the afterburners late, Stolz said this time the surge never fully arrived.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I didn’t have it today, so I’m not sure why,” he said. “Probably just from all the events leading up to this one, it’s been kind of a while. So I’m sure there’s different factors that go into that. I don’t know if it affected my body, but either way, it was still a good race.”
Coach Bob Corby also had no answers.
Despite the silver for the 1:42.75 finish, Stolz’s Olympic résumé already includes two gold medals and he remained reflective rather than rattled.
“I didn’t have my best race. There was nothing I could do about it,” said Stolz. “Ning had his best race, and I’m happy he was able to get it. He tries really hard, and he’s always trying to be on the podium, and now he was able to win, so that’s super cool for him.”
Questioned how much the 5 gold medals Eric Heiden won at the Olympics in 1980, Stolz said, “I mean, nobody’s able to do what Heiden’s done, and probably will never happen again,” he said. “I mean, five gold medals is insane. I already appreciated it before I ever had anything.
Asked about the lightning-fast conditions, Stolz admitted the times surprised him.
“Yeah, I was pretty surprised, yeah. I mean, 1:41, that’s really quick, but it also could be like Ning was super fast today, and I think he was.”
On the podium, with emotions close to the surface, Stolz kept perspective.
“I was thinking it would have been nice to have gold, but if anybody was going to win, I thought Ning would be the one to do it, and I was happy for him,” Stolz said. “I mean, I already have two golds, and I guess he really earned this one.”
As for Nuis, still medaling at 36, Stolz offered a nod of respect.
“That’s pretty impressive for his age. He’s a good skater. He tries hard,” Stolz said.
Questioned whether he sees himself racing at that age? Stolz said, “I don’t know about that. That’s a little bit too long.”
On tap Saturday, February 21 is the final event for Stolz, the Mass Start.
According to coach Corby the one thing that’s certain is there’s nothing certain about the Mass Start. “Everyone should know that you can’t tell anything about what’s going to happen in the Mass Start. You can’t predict anything. You don’t know how it’s going to go. So just it’s uh a crapshoot.”
The Mass Start begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be six races total including the men’s semifinal 1 and 2, the women’s Mass Start semifinal 1 and 2, followed by the men’s final at 4:40 p.m. and then the women’s final at 5:15 p.m.
Remember, there is a 7-hour time difference betwen Milan and the Midwest.
Below is a preview article that ran prior to the 1500m.
February 19, 2026 – Milan, Italy – It’s the third race for Jordan Stolz and a win in the 1500m today means a rare hat-trick at the #2026WinterOlympics.
Stolz, who said he was happy to get one gold under his belt with the 1000m, currently sits on two gold medals following a first-place finish in the 500m.
According to ISU-skating, after his 500m gold, the American said: “I am really happy so far to win two (gold medals). I think if I have a good 1500m, it should turn out well. I am hoping for gold in that.
“The mass start is just kind of a toss-up. It is more like a bonus. It is so hard to say what is going to happen in that, but I would love to win the 1500m.”
Stolz, who will also skate the Mass Start on Saturday, is confident going into Thursday’s 1500m. He skates in the 15th pairing vs. Peder Kongshaug of Norway.
Below is an article that ran Wednesday after the pairings were announced.
February 18, 2026 – Milan, Italy – The lineup for the 1500m race at the #WinterOlympics has been released and Jordan Stolz will be skating against a familiar opponent.
The draw shows Stolz skating in the 15th and last pairing vs. Peder Kongshaug of Norway.
Coach Bob Corby said, “Last pair good. Inner lane start is not as good but it doesn’t matter. Peder is a good pair for him.”
Stolz has entered two races so far this Olympics and come away with a pair of gold medals in the 1000m and the 500m. Fans back home are showing their support.
Analysis: Another of Stolz’s top races. His PR is 1:40.480 set in November 2025 in Salt Lake City. Stolz was 5 for 5 in 1st place finishes this season in Salt Lake City, Calgary, Heerenveen, Hamar, and Inzell, Germany.
Kongshaug is 24 years old and his PR in the 1500m is 1:41.340 set Nov. 15, 2025. Konshaug is an exhuberant skater with a big family fanclub. He finished first in the 1500m this season at the ISU European Speed Skating Championship in Poland.
Competition: Speedskating GOAT Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands will be shooting for his third Olympic gold in the 1500m. He won in Pyeongchang in 2018 and in Beijing in 2022. Zhongyan Ning of China is normally in the top 3 in the 1500m and Finn Sonnekalb of Germany is 18 and turning heads.
Watch for two other Americans to line up in the 1500m including Team Pursuit silver medalists Emery Lehman and Casey Dawson. Lehman is in the 5th pairing and will skate against David la Rue of Canada. Dawson skates in the 6th pairing vs. Vladimir Semirunniy of Poland.
Thursday’s 1500m is at 4:30 p.m. in Italy. There is a 7-hour time difference to the Midwest.
An Olympic medal is an Olympic medal!
Congrats Jordan!!