Team USA Eyes Speed Skating Renaissance at 2026 Milan Cortina Games
The United States speed skating program is poised for a potential return to Olympic glory, fueled by a new generation of talent and echoes of legendary performances from the past. As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games begin, American skaters are drawing comparisons to icons like Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair, igniting hopes for a new gold streak.
A Legacy of Speed
Speed skating boasts a rich Olympic history, having been part of the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The U.S. has long been a force in the sport, producing champions who have captivated audiences for decades. Eric Heiden’s unprecedented sweep of all five individual speed skating events at the 1980 Lake Placid Games remains a benchmark of athletic achievement. Bonnie Blair, a four-time Olympian, dominated the sport in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while Apolo Ohno stands as the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian with eight medals across three Games.
The sport encompasses two primary disciplines: long track speed skating, where athletes race against the clock on a 400m oval, and short track speed skating, characterized by a shorter 111.12-meter oval and more crowded, dynamic races. Introduced in 2006 and 2018 respectively, the team pursuit and mass start events have added new dimensions to the Olympic program.
The Rising Stars of 2026
Several American skaters are leading the charge for medals in Milan. Here are four athletes to watch:
Jordan Stolz: The Next Generation
At 21, Jordan Stolz has rapidly ascended to the top of the speed skating world. Despite not medaling at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Stolz has since secured ten world championship medals, including three while recovering from pneumonia last February. He currently holds the world record in the men’s 1000 meters.
Stolz’s aggressive and fluid skating style has drawn comparisons to Heiden himself, with the Olympic legend telling NBC, “Jordan is the best I’ve ever seen.” Some observers even predict he could become the “Michael Phelps of speed skating” due to his versatility and dominance. Despite his impressive achievements, Stolz remains grounded. “Obviously, in the best case scenario, I would like to have four medals,” he stated, referring to his events, “But I’d be happy if it just goes well.”
His schedule includes the Men’s 1000m (February 11), Men’s 500m (February 14), Men’s 1500m (February 19), and Men’s Mass Start (February 21).
Kristen Santos-Griswold: Redemption on the Ice
Kristen Santos-Griswold is a short track star seeking to overcome a heartbreaking experience from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. In the 1000-meter final, she was in medal contention when a collision caused her to crash, finishing fourth.
The disappointment led Santos-Griswold to contemplate retirement. “I had to take a moment and sit back and decide if I could handle something like that again, because that’s something that can be really unforgiving with the sport,” she explained. Through therapy and support, she persevered, achieving a world championship title and the Crystal Globe for consistent excellence last season. Santos-Griswold is approaching the Milan Games with a renewed mindset, determined to leave everything on the ice. “I want to make sure I leave every race feeling like I gave it my all and I did absolutely everything that I could,” she said. She will compete in the Short Track Mixed Team Relay (February 10), Short Track Women’s 500m (February 12), and Short Track Women’s 3000m Relay (February 18).
Erin Jackson & Brittany Bowe: A Friendship Forged in Gold
Erin Jackson and Brittany Bowe represent a remarkable story of friendship and sportsmanship. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Jackson made history as the first American since Bonnie Blair to win gold in the women’s 500 meters, and the first Black woman to win an individual speed skating event.
Her journey to the podium was aided by Bowe, who selflessly relinquished her qualifying spot in the 500m after Jackson slipped during the U.S. Olympic Trials. In Milan, both skaters will compete in the women’s 500m and 1000m events, with Bowe holding the world record in the 1000m. Bowe, at 37, is competing in her fourth and final Olympics, aiming for a gold medal to cap off her illustrious career. Both athletes shared the honor of being flag bearers for the U.S. – Bowe in Beijing and Jackson in Milan. Jackson’s events are the Women’s 1000m (February 9) and Women’s 500m (February 15), while Bowe will race in the Women’s 1000m (February 9), Women’s 500m (February 15), and Women’s 1500m (February 20).
The camaraderie and mutual support between Jackson and Bowe exemplify the spirit of Team USA as they strive for success in Milan. As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold, these skaters, along with their teammates, carry the weight of a proud tradition and the promise of a bright future for American speed skating.
