Ning Zhongyan Claims Olympic Glory in 1,500m Speedskating
MILAN – The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan witnessed a stunning upset in the men’s 1,500-meter speedskating event as China’s Ning Zhongyan soared to victory, denying American speedskater Jordan Stolz a third gold medal. Ning’s winning time of 1 minute, 41.98 seconds not only secured him the gold but also established a new Olympic record.
Stolz, a dominant force throughout the Games, finished just 0.77 seconds behind Ning, adding a silver medal to his already impressive collection of gold medals from the 500m and 1,000m races. The 21-year-old Wisconsin native will have one final opportunity to add to his medal count in the mass start event on Saturday.
A Historic Performance
Only two long track speedskaters in history have achieved the feat of winning at least four gold medals at a single Olympic Games. Eric Heiden of the U.S. captured five golds at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, while Lidiya Skoblikova of the Soviet Union secured four golds in 1964. Stolz was aiming to join this exclusive club, but Ning’s exceptional performance dashed those hopes.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric as Stolz crossed the finish line. Ning Zhongyan immediately erupted in celebration, jumping with joy alongside his teammates. He then proudly displayed the Chinese flag, draping it around his shoulders during a victorious lap. In contrast, Stolz, visibly disappointed, bowed his head and rested his hands on his knees.
Ning’s Journey to Gold
This victory marks Ning Zhongyan’s third medal at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, a temporary facility renowned for its fast track conditions. He previously earned bronze medals in the 1,000m and the team pursuit. Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands, the 2018 and 2022 Olympic champion in the 1,500m and current world record holder, secured the bronze medal on Thursday, finishing a mere 0.07 seconds behind Stolz.
Stolz’s Dominance and Future Prospects
Prior to the Olympics, Stolz was widely considered the favorite in every race he entered. A two-time world champion in the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m, he also holds the world record in the 1,000m. His Olympic record-breaking performances in the 500m and 1,000m positioned him as the only male skater, besides Eric Heiden, to achieve that double at the Games.
Stolz had hoped to become the first male speedskater since Norway’s Johann Olav Koss in 1994 to win three gold medals at a single Games. Dutch skater Irene Schouten achieved this feat for women at the Beijing Olympics in 2022.
“It’s a success, but it’s more so of a partial success if I don’t win the 1,500, just because I’ve been so good in that distance for so long. So I hope I can win that one,” Stolz stated before the race.
Canada’s Laurent Dubreuil, who won bronze in the 500m behind Stolz, lauded the American skater, stating, “Jordan is the greatest speedskater of all-time.”
Learn more about the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics: AP News
