Jordan Stolz of the United States won the men’s 500-meter speed skating event at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 33.77 seconds.
ISU, the International Skating Union, reported on the event held on February 14, 2026.
Stolz, who had previously won the men’s 1000m event, faced a fierce competition against Dutch skater Jenning de Boo. Both athletes delivered remarkable performances with times under 34 seconds, showcasing their exceptional speed and competitive spirit. The race was tightly contested, with Stolz edging out de Boo by 0.11 seconds. Canadian Laurent Dubreuil finished third, securing the bronze medal with a time of 34.26 seconds.
The race featured a strategic start, where Stolz gained an early lead by opening the first 100 meters faster than de Boo. Despite de Boo’s efforts and tactical approach, he was unable to overtake Stolz during the final stretch. Stolz attributed his victory to a perfect execution on the last outer lane, which allowed him to maintain his lead and cross the finish line first.
The rivalry between Stolz and de Boo has been noted as beneficial for the sport, raising the level of competition and providing excitement for spectators. De Boo expressed pride in his performance despite narrowly missing the gold, while Stolz acknowledged the challenge and thrill of racing against a top competitor.
Laurent Dubreuil, who had briefly held the Olympic record during the event, reflected on the high level of performance displayed by Stolz and de Boo, illustrating the evolving standards in speed skating. Dubreuil, a former world champion and Olympic silver medalist, emphasized the significance of his bronze medal in the 500m as a meaningful achievement in his sprinting career.
In addition to the individual events, the Canadian women’s team pursued success in the team pursuit quarter-finals. Olympic champions Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin, and Valérie Maltais led their team to qualify for the semi-finals with the fastest time of 2 minutes and 55.03 seconds. Canada will face the United States in the next round, while the Netherlands and Japan compete in the other semi-final.
The event continues to highlight the high level of dedication and performance by the world’s best speed skaters as they compete for Olympic honors at Milano Cortina 2026.
