Jordan Stolz, an American, is a genuine speedskating prodigy, seen as a potential star for the upcoming Winter Olympics. He is expected to elevate his sport into popular awareness, much like and did previously. However, in the United States, even close to his residence in Kewaskum, Wisc.—approximately 50 minutes northwest of Milwaukee—Stolz experiences relative obscurity. “If I walk into a Piggly Wiggly,” Stolz shared with TIME during a video interview from Wisconsin, “no one recognizes me.”
In contrast, across Europe—particularly in the —he receives the recognition usually given to elite athletes. “It feels like on every KLM flight I take, the flight attendants all know me,” Stolz remarked. “They give me a bit of extra special treatment. That’s always pleasant. Perhaps I’ll sign some autographs during the flight.” In Holland, people approach him for photos on the street. He has received a complimentary haircut there and even avoided a parking fine.
Although Stolz, aged 21, would appreciate greater acknowledgment in the U.S., he also enjoys the advantages of both situations. Having privacy and tranquility at home while being famous overseas is not a bad arrangement. “I’m unsure what it would be like here if people recognized you that much,” he stated. “Would their behavior be similar to that of the Dutch? Because the Dutch are extremely respectful of their athletes. They generally don’t interfere. But here, it could be somewhat different.”
Should the U.S. Olympic marketing apparatus succeed, Stolz will soon experience this firsthand. NBC, a major creator of Olympic stars, plans to heavily promote Stolz: he has already featured alongside Hollywood actor Glen Powell in an Olympic advertisement that premiered in September during Sunday Night Football, America’s most-viewed prime-time show. has included Stolz in its group of Olympic athlete sponsors, and in early 2025, he inked a deal with Octagon, the agency representing and Michael Phelps. Similar to Phelps and , Stolz is set to compete in several events—specifically, the 500 m, 1,000 m, 1,500 m, and mass start—with his pursuit of four gold medals being a central focus throughout the Olympics.
“Observing Jordan Stolz’s progression has felt akin to what I imagine it was like watching a young Michael Phelps,” remarked Joey Cheek, an NBC Sports analyst and 2006 Torino Olympic 500-m gold medalist, prior to the U.S. Olympic speedskating trials. “He possesses the ability to triumph across various distances, even in vastly different circumstances. Even at his least effective, he still secures medals, and when he performs optimally, he is invincible.”
Stolz is aware of the comparisons to Phelps. “However, I haven’t truly considered or internalized it,” he stated. “Because I prefer not to get overconfident.”
Stolz holds the world record for the 1,000 m and has secured two World Championship victories in each of three distinct distances: the 500 m, 1,000 m, and 1,500 m. Furthermore, he has achieved wins in all these races during the initial four World Cup events this season, in addition to claiming his first mass-start triumph in Norway last December.
Observing Apolo Ohno during the 2010 Olympics motivated 5-year-old Jordan and his sister Hannah—who is one year his senior—to pursue speedskating. “My sole desire was to be quick,” Stolz explained. “I wanted to emulate Apolo’s movements on the short track.” Their parents transformed a frozen backyard pond into a temporary ice rink. As Stolz, now 6 feet tall, experienced a growth spurt in his early teenage years, he shifted his focus to long track, which offers more space for powerful strides. “I prefer long track because you don’t have another competitor directly beside you who might cause you to fall, preventing you from winning the race,” he commented. “People are bumping into you and such.”
(Hannah ceased speedskating at age 16 but is currently a nationally .)
Stolz, who first competed in the Olympics in Beijing at 17—placing 13th in the 500 m and 14th in the 1,000 m—has dedicated himself to reaching the sport’s highest level. He has and cycled extensively to develop his stamina. Following the previous season, he dedicated six hours at a Dutch manufacturing facility, evaluating 77 distinct blades to identify those offering the optimal sensation on the ice.
Is anyone capable of defeating Stolz? He identifies Jenning De Boo from the Netherlands as a competitor: De Boo claimed victory in the 500 m at the 2025 Worlds, although Stolz’s performance was impacted by a prior bout of pneumonia (he secured second place). “He’s quite amiable,” Stolz commented. Kjeld Nuis, also from the Netherlands, holds the title of two-time reigning Olympic champion in the 1,500 m. Stolz expresses more uncertainty regarding Nuis. “He consistently makes statements in the media and frequently discusses me,” Stolz observed. “He’s rather inconsistent. Some days he attempts to be extremely pleasant. And then on other days, he reverses course in the media, saying things like, ‘Yes, Jordan does this, and I do that.’ Then he’ll revert to being very nice. So, I intend to remain silent until after the Games.”
When contacted for his perspective, Nuis asserted that he has never spoken negatively about Stolz and has no intention of doing so. “He is already significantly superior to how I was at his age,” he communicated to TIME. “I prefer not to discuss him, but I receive numerous inquiries about him because he is currently the athlete to overcome. I admire his skating style and wish him all the best. The next Heiden is emerging.” (American secured five speedskating gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, making him the first Olympian to ever achieve five individual event titles at one Games.)
Stolz anticipates that while Dutch supporters, who are expected to travel to Italy for the Olympic speedskating competitions, will naturally back their national skaters, they will also hold a degree of affection for him. “I don’t believe they harbor any ill will towards me,” he stated, “simply because I am not overly arrogant like some of their skaters.”
He is approaching Milan with great confidence. “The preparation is complete,” Stolz affirmed. “I merely need to sustain my current performance. Therefore, I don’t foresee any decline or issues. I’m not suggesting that other competitors cannot improve. However, provided I remain in good health, I am quite confident I can perform at the same level I have been. Consequently, I am very content with my current position.”