American speedskater Jordan Stolz cemented his place in Olympic history, winning the 500-meter race at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium on Saturday and setting a new Olympic record with a time of 33.77 seconds. This victory, coming just three nights after his win in the 1000-meter race, makes Stolz a double-Olympic champion and further fuels the debate about his potential status as the greatest speedskater of all time, according to Time.
Stolz's coach, Bob Corby, provided crucial guidance before the 500-meter race. Corby reminded Stolz that even if his start time lagged behind his competitors, the race would be won on the backstretch. "So you've got to burn, like you've never burned before," Corby said, according to Time. Stolz clearly heeded the advice, finishing .11 seconds ahead of Dutch speedskater Jenning de Boo, who also competed in the 500-meter race.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are underway, showcasing both triumphs and challenges for elite athletes, according to multiple news sources cited by Time. The games have seen historic wins for the U.S., including Stolz's record-breaking performances. The pressure and mental fortitude required for peak performance were highlighted, as other athletes like Ilia Malinin experienced setbacks, including performance failures, or "the yips," according to NPR News. Experts attribute this phenomenon to intense public pressure and media scrutiny.
In other news from the Olympics, US skier Lindsey Vonn was discharged from the hospital in Italy after a severe crash during the women's downhill final, ending her comeback attempt, according to Al Jazeera.
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