February 14, 2026 – Milan, Italy – Five-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden is in Milan this week, watching another American talent chase history.
Photo courtesy Kristen Benson
From Lake Placid to Italy, Heiden knows the terrain of Olympic pressure. And as he studies another Olympic gold medalist, Jordan Stolz, he sees something familiar.
When asked about Stolz’s 1000-meter gold medal, Heiden said, “Yeah, high expectations and I expected the results we saw, but you never know. That’s why you race and he did what Jordan does. He just went to the starting line, a lot of confidence and crushed everybody.”
For casual fans, the victory may have looked inevitable. Heiden said there’s more happening beneath the surface.
“I don’t know if it’s a strategy, but you watch Jordan enough and you kind of want to write him off with a lap to go,” he said. “And he’s just so much stronger and faster than anybody over that last lap. I think people need to appreciate the ability he has as a skater, not only with good speed, but also with just power and endurance.”
Saturday’s 500-meter race presents a different beast. Shorter. Sharper. Less room for error.
“The individual races for sure,” Heiden said when asked if the 500 would be Stolz’s biggest challenge.
“There’s a lot of good sprinters and he does not have that leg speed that a lot of sprinters do, but he’s very efficient with his strokes. He’s very technically sound. So I think that of the individual races, that’s the one that I think is probably the most concerning.”
In a 500m, fractions are everything.
Click HERE for a preview of the Jordan vs. Jenning heat in the 500m
“It’s going to depend on how fast he goes over that first 100 meters,” Heiden said. “It’s hard to make up any lost time in a 500, but yeah, his last lap is what makes him such an outstanding skater.”
Stolz has recently been pushed in the 500 by Poland’s Damian Zurek, who won the last two 500s against him. Heiden believes that pressure can sharpen an edge.
“Oh, I think it always makes you work a little bit harder and be perhaps a little less confident and maybe overconfident when you get challenged like that,” he said.
“But my understanding is Jordan’s really been peaking for this. We were watching him earlier this year, he was in a hard training block, just planning on backing off during these Olympics. So yeah, Jordan’s got a good chance of winning the 500, but again, you make one little mistake, it’ll cost you in the 500.”
Beyond physical preparation, Heiden points to Stolz’s mindset.
“He’s got this sort of calm confidence that he takes to the starting line,” he said. “I’m not sure he really is that concerned about the competition, and more concerned about his performance and is he going to live up to his expectations?”
That focus includes limiting distractions. Stolz choosing preparation over pageantry.
“You got to focus on why you’re here,” Heiden said. “He’s shown up at the Olympics with a purpose and a job to do. I think the first time around when you go to the Olympics, which he did four years ago, it’s sort of an eye-opening experience. And there’s a lot of distractions. And I think he is here. He does not want to get caught up in the distraction so that he can focus on why he is here to skate races.”
Heiden learned that lesson himself.
“The first time around, it’s like, ‘Whoa, man, there’s a lot going on,’” he said. “And you kind of forget what got you to the Olympics. And you sort of get wrapped up in all the fanfare and experiences. And when I came to Lake Placid, it was, you know, stay focused. Don’t celebrate too much and understand that you have a unique situation and your schedule is going to be a lot different than the average speed skater.”
Even legends have their moments. Heiden admitted he once overslept before his final Olympic race.
“Yeah, I did,” he said. “For the last race, I got kind of wrapped up in watching a hockey game and slept through my alarm. Not the best thing to do.”
As for standing on the Olympic starting line, Heiden insists the moment itself is not mystical.
“I would tell you no, because this is the environment you’re used to,” he said. “Being involved in it, you know, it’s nothing unusual for you as a skater. I think for the public, they kind of make more of it than probably is necessary because you’re so comfortable. You know, they’re telling you to get ready. You’ve been doing this a hundred times before. This is what you’ve been training for all your life. And now’s the time to perform.”
Heiden has not yet connected with Stolz in Milan.
“I have not talked to him,” he said. “No, not since we’ve been here.”
But from one Olympic champion to another, the analysis is clear: confidence, efficiency, and that punishing final lap.
On Saturday in the 500 meters, Stolz is again paired against Jenning De Boo of the Netherlands. The two skated in the first 1000m race with Stolz securing the gold and De Boo the silver.
Click HERE for more details on that matchup.
Peacock and NBCsports.com have been broadcasting the races. #OlympicGames
