Olympic Guide: 2026 Speed Skating, United States will Challange the Netherlands

Olympic madness is about to reign supreme, and nowhere will it be at a higher fever pitch than in speed skating. The United States might be fielding its most talented team ever, and they should win lots of medals.

The Netherlands is historically the strongest team in Olympic speed skating, owing to the frozen canals there. The United States will challenge them this year. There are several other strong competitors. How many medals do you think the United States will win in Olympic speed skating?

Olympic Speed Skating Preview

In Milan-Cortina at the Olympics, the world’s best skaters will go head-to-head in the sprint distances of 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and endurance tests of 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m. One of the event’s more notable parts is the mass-start race, featuring an eye-catching team pursuit.

Men

Get to know American Jordan Stolz. He is a speed skating phenom poised to take the Winter Olympic Games by storm. The Wisconsin native is the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, sweeping the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m world titles in back-to-back seasons (2023/2024). He added the all-around crown in 2024.

His biggest challengers include world champions from the Netherlands, Jenning de Boo in the 500 meters and Joep Wennemars in the 1000 meters, reigning Olympic champion in the 1500 meters, Kjeld Nuis, and fellow American Cooper McLeod in the 500-meter race.

In the endurance races, Italy’s Davide Ghiotto might get a home-country bounce. He is the reigning world record holder in the 10,000 meters. He is closely pursued by Norway’s 5000 meters world champion, Sander Eitrem, and Czechia’s 19-year-old Metoděj Jílek.

Women

On the women’s side, the Netherlands leads the pack, but there are several strong contenders, including those from the United States. The Netherlands’ Joy Beune won the all-around in 2024, collecting world titles across three distances.

Teammate and Beijing 2022 silver medallist Jutta Leerdam continues her quest for Olympic gold in the 1000 meter, while reigning 500 meter world champion Femke Kok looks to fend off American star Erin Jackson.

With the potential to disrupt many of the young generation’s dreams, is Japan’s Takagi Miho, a seven-time Olympic medallist and contender in both the 1000m and 1500m. And one of the sport’s most captivating storylines belongs to Italy’s Arianna Fontana, the nation’s most decorated Winter Olympic athlete, who aims to make history by qualifying for both short-track and long-track speed skating on home ice.

Schedule

Here is the speed skating schedule. Stolz is likely to be such a star that speed skating is likely to be on in prime time. Note that all listed times are local.

1. Saturday (16:00) – Women’s 3000 meters race
2. Sunday (16:00) – Men’s 5000 meters race
3. Monday (17:30) – Women’s 1000 meters race
4. Wednesday (18:30) – Men’s 1000 meters race
5. Thursday (16:30) – Women’s 5000 meters race
6. Friday (16:00) – Men’s 10,000 meters race
7. Saturday (16:00) – Women’s Team Pursuit Quarterfinals
8. Men’s 500m (17:00)
9. Sunday (16:00) – Men’s Team Pursuit Quarterfinals (16:30)- Women’s 500m
10. Tuesday (14:30 onwards) – Team Pursuit Finals Day (Men & Women)
11. Thursday (15:30) – Men’s 1500 meters race
12. Friday (16:30) – Women’s 1500 meters race
13. Saturday (15:00 onwards) – Mass Start Semifinals & Finals (Men & Women)

Frequently Asked Questions

The United States is likely to be competitive in long-track speed skating at the 2026 Olympics. Jordan Stolz and Erin Jackson lead the American Olympic team against stiff international competition.

Parting Shots

Speedskating in Olympic Competition will be spell-binding. As the most intense meeting of the international elite, what we will see in Milan-Cortina will be amazing. Get ready for a heavy dose of American medalists, and get ready especially for Jordan Stolz to grace a Wheaties box near you.