Speed skater Jordan Stolzs Olympics rock star status is ready for an American twist

Jordan Stolz entered the 2026 Olympics virtually unknown in the United States.Even in his home state of Wisconsin, the 21-year-old speed skater was a near-nobody.That’s partly because speed skating isn’t popular in the U.S.Not many will seek it out until it pops up every four years in the Winter Olympics.

But in speed skating-crazed countries like the Netherlands, Norway and Germany, he’s a sensation.That was first apparent by the hat.In 2023, when he won the World AllAround title in the Netherlands, Stolz was given a colorful, flower-covered cap by a Dutch fan to wear following his victory.

The hat is believed to only be presented to champions, designed to be reused for every subsequent winner.A little over two years later, the hat found its way back to Stolz, in the biggest moment of his career.Stolz captured his first-career Olympic gold medal Wednesday in the 1,000-meter race, breaking a 24-year Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28.Stolz sported the famous cap again during Wednesday’s victory lap.

But unlike the last time he wore it, he’s not a question mark anymore.He’s becoming an American superstar.

Stolz has three more chances to win gold again in Milan — the 500-meter, 1,500-meter and mass start races — where he can cement himself as one of the best speed skaters in the world.“It’s hard to say, ‘Oh, I could win four gold medals,’ when you haven’t won one yet,” Stolz said following Wednesday’s triumph.“Now that I’ve won one, I know what to expect and can feel how the crowd is, with the energy and the ice.”Ironically, Stolz was close to losing Wednesday.

With a lap left, he trailed the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo but surged past him in the final 400 meters to claim gold.Even then, he had to wait an extra 15 minutes before being named the winner after Joep Wennemars was granted a reskate.Stolz said post-race that he had hoped to be even with de Boo with 600 meters to go.

Instead, he “threw his arms down and attack...