In his first race of the 2026 Winter Olympics, 21-year-old speed skating phenom Jordan Stolz won the men's 1000m by the largest margin of victory on the Olympic level since 1984 Wednesday, skating across the finish line in 1 minute, 6.28 seconds for a new Olympic record. The previous mark of 1:07.18 was set by the Netherlands' Gerard van Velde in February 2002 — over two years before Stolz was born in May 2004.

Each of the four races contested so far in Milan have been won in Olympic record time.

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As he often does, Stolz got off to a slow start, posting the fourth-slowest opening 200m split (16.18). He found his groove as he rounded the final corner, sailing across the finish line half a second ahead of Dutch skater Jenning de Boo, who ended in 2nd. 

His win marks the first time since 2010 that an American man has earned Olympic gold. It's also the Unites States' first individual Olympic medal in men's speed skating in the same span.

Since he burst onto the scene with two surprise wins at the 2022 Olympic Trials at age 17, Stolz has completely dominated the sprint world. In the 1000m alone, he owns two world titles, two World Cup titles, the overall world record, and the sea-level world record. With five wins in five 1000m races this season — three of which he skated in track-record time — Stolz now owns a 14-race unbeaten streak in the distance on the World Cup level.

He is also a two-time world champion and the two-time reigning World Cup champion in the 500m and 1500m, which he'll race in Milan. He'll go for a fourth medal in the mass start, an event he added to his program just this season.

In Milan, Stolz could become the second-ever American athlete after fellow Wisconsinite Eric Heiden to collect three or more gold medals at a single Winter Games. Heiden, also a speed skater, won gold in all five of his events at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. Stolz is about three weeks older than Heiden was when he won his first event in 1980.

De Boo, who is four month Stolz's senior, emerged as Stolz's primary rival when he finished ahead of Stolz in two events at the 2025 World Championships: the 500m (gold) and the 1000m (silver). He finished the season as the world No. 3 in the distance.

De Boo's final time Wednesday (1:06.78) also eclipsed the previous Olympic record.

China's Ning Zhongyan rounded out the podium. 

American Conor McDermott Mostowy landed in 9th, and Cooper McLeod finished 19th in their Olympic debuts.

Competition continues Thursday, Feb. 12, with the women's 5000m. It is the only event on the speed skating program without an American competitor.

Skaters are scheduled to take the ice at 10:30 a.m. E.T.