In the world of speedskating, the clock doesn’t lie. But sometimes, it makes you wait.
On Wednesday evening in Milan, American phenom Jordan Stolz did exactly what he came here to do. He stepped onto the ice for the 1,000 meters and delivered a blistering performance, crossing the line in 1:06.28.
That number didn’t just beat his Dutch rival Jenning de Boo by a fraction of a second; it smashed the Olympic record. Under normal circumstances, that would be the moment the flowers are thrown and the flag is draped.
But this is the Olympics, and nothing is ever that simple.
The Phantom Race
Despite posting the winning time, Stolz couldn’t officially claim his gold medal immediately. The reason? A bizarre procedural delay involving Dutch skater Joep Wennemars.
Earlier in the event, Wennemars was involved in a collision—an incident that sparked immediate controversy in the arena. Replays appeared to show interference that some observers and frustrated fans in the comments section argued may have benefited a Chinese competitor (who ultimately secured the bronze).
Officials ruled that Wennemars had indeed been impeded, granting him a rare “re-skate.”
The Wait for Gold
So, the scene was set: Stolz, the clear winner on the time sheets, sat in the chaotic infield of the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, forced to watch his competitor take the ice alone for a solo time trial against the ghost of Stolz’s 1:06.28.
It was a tense, awkward, and highly unusual conclusion to a marquee event.
“The scoreboard at the corner of the Milano Speed Skating Stadium said he had an Olympic record… but the celebration was on hold.”
Eventually, the ice cleared, the times held, and the bizarre interlude ended. Stolz officially claimed the first of the four gold medals he is chasing at these Games.
It wasn’t the clean, instant victory lap he might have envisioned, but the history books won’t record the waiting period. They’ll just record the time: 1:06.28.