West Bend, Wi – There will be more of a Washington County, WI, connection at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, than USA speedskater Jordan Stolz. Dan and Donna Fiorenza of West Bend, WI, have played a key role in the U.S. speedskating scene for years and they too will be part of the electric competition.
The Fiorenzas are two of just 25 officials worldwide selected to serve ISU Speedskating, a role earned through decades of commitment to a sport that has shaped their family’s life.
Donna has been officially assigned to the Games as a Competitor Steward in short track speedskating, while Dan, a veteran referee, will be in the stands, ticket in hand, watching history unfold.
“We’ve been involved in speed skating for about 25 years,” Dan said. “My kids skated, my wife and I are international officials, so yeah, we’re heading to Milan.”
For Dan, Milan will be especially meaningful because one of the skaters he’ll be watching is Jordan Stolz, the 21-year-old long-track phenom from the Town of Wayne who has taken the speedskating world by storm.
“It’s hard to describe Jordan,” Dan said. “I’ll take him out of context as a speedskater first. He’s just a really great young man and he’s from a great family.”
Dan first met Stolz when Jordan and his sister Hannah were young skaters attending camps and competitions in central Wisconsin. At the time, Stolz was immersed in short track, the discipline closest to Dan’s own officiating world.
“I enjoyed watching Hannah and Jordan skate together,” he said. “That’s mostly when I saw them, whether it was in Wausau or a short track event in Green Bay. It was just really enjoyable.”
Even now, as Stolz dominates long track and shatters world records, Dan said what stands out most isn’t just the times on the clock.
“When you’re knocking off world records by not tenths or hundredths, but three, four times, that tells you something,” he said. “But more than that, it’s who he is. He’s one of a kind.”
Dan points to moments away from the spotlight as the clearest measure of Stolz’s character. A few years ago, after already becoming an Olympian, Stolz showed up at a local short track event and volunteered as ice crew, running out between races to reset rubber blocks on the ice.
“That tells you who he is,” Dan said. “Not everybody does that when they reach a certain level. But Jordan was out there chasing blocks at a local competition. As an Olympian, that says a lot about a young man.”
As for Milan, Dan is eager to experience the scale of the Olympics firsthand, especially long track racing on the sport’s biggest stage.
“I love short track, but I love long track too,” he said. “I’m excited to see how big that stadium is going to be. And of course, I’ll be watching Jordan skate, and all the short track too.”
Donna, meanwhile, will be working behind the scenes, ensuring races run smoothly and rules are followed.
“As a competitor steward she’s on the side of the rink making sure the right people are in the right races, the organization is right, the timing is right. It’s very technical, working with Swiss Timing and a whole team of officials.”
While Donna works, Dan will be supporting the athletes who have poured their lives into the sport.
“It’s a long commitment for these skaters,” he said. “You give up a lot. That’s why I always say you have to enjoy the journey. If it’s only about making the team, too many people end up crushed. The right families understand balance, and the Stolz family has always been that way.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics begin February 6 in Milan, Italy. Stolz will compete in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and Mass Start.
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