Who is Jordan Stolz? American speed skater’s journey to Milan-Cortina Games, her focus on Olympic gold and not records

Jordan Stolz’s name is already written on walls at speed-skating rinks across the world. The young American star holds 25 track records in different countries. Yet Stolz says records are not what drive him every time he steps onto the ice. His main goal is always to win races and perform when it matters most. That mindset has helped him rise to the top of the sport at a young age.As the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics approach, Stolz enters as one of Team USA’s biggest medal hopes. The skater from Kewaskum, Wisconsin, will compete in four events. He arrives with world-leading rankings, Olympic pressure, and a calm confidence built through years of hard work on and off the ice.Jordan Stolz explains that while track records are nice to have, they are not something he actively chases (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). He says his focus is never on beating the previous holder of a record. Instead, he concentrates on racing well and finishing ahead of his competitors. For him, victory matters more than numbers on a board.There is one place where records mean a little more. Stolz admits that racing in Heerenveen, the heart of Dutch speed skating, feels different. He says the crowd and skaters there treat track records as something special, almost like world records. Stolz adds that having his name displayed there would be meaningful, as Dutch skaters would see it daily during training.Recently, Stolz competed at the ISU World Cup in Inzell, Germany. In his first 500-meter race, he finished second behind Poland’s Damian Zurek, who set a new track record. Speaking on the sidelines, Stolz said afterward that he felt good about his skate. He explained that heavy training had not hurt his top speed and believes he still has room to improve.Stolz now turns his attention fully to the Olympics. His first race will be the 1,000 meters on February 11. More events follow quickly, including the 500 meters, 1,500 meters, and mass start.Behind his success is a brutal training routine. Stolz’ summer training is usually harder than winter. Long bike rides, heavy weightlifting, and exhausting hours build his base. He explains that riding for five hours on tired legs is not enjoyable, but it is necessary.Now, with records already secured, his focus is clear. Olympic gold is the real target.