American speed skating star Jordan Stolz has announced that he will no longer be working with his long-time coach Bob Corby, signaling a new direction as he plans for the next eight years of his career.
De Telegraaf, a Dutch news outlet, reports on the unexpected split between the athlete and coach.
Jordan Stolz, who won two Olympic gold medals (500 meters and 1000 meters) and one silver (1500 meters) at the most recent Winter Games, made the decision to end his cooperation with Bob Corby, who had guided him since 2018. Their partnership had produced significant achievements, including seven world titles under Corby’s coaching. However, prior to the Olympics, there had been high expectations that Stolz might win three to five gold medals — a forecast that ultimately was not fulfilled.
Stolz shared his reasoning with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, explaining that his focus is shifting toward a long-term plan aimed at performing at his best through to the 2034 Winter Games. He expressed gratitude for Corby’s contributions but indicated a desire to start preparing now for the coming years, partly due to uncertainty about Corby’s future as a coach.
Coach Bob Corby described the news as a shock and said he was still trying to come to terms with Stolz’s decision, especially since it was made without prior consultation. At 76 years old, Corby reflected on their successful collaboration but acknowledged Stolz’s wish to pursue a different direction.
