Jordan Stolz Reveals The Moment He Realized He Was An Olympic Champion

Jordan Stolz is still soaking in the moment after a historic Olympic performance. The Team USA speed skating star made headlines at the Milano Cortina Winter Games after walking away with three medals, including two golds, and breaking Olympic records along the way. Now, Jordan Stolz is reflecting on the surreal experience and what the victory truly meant to him.

Speaking exclusively with The Blast as part of Hershey’s “Happiness Is The Real Gold” campaign, the Olympic champion shared what went through his mind after crossing the finish line, the pressure of competing on the world’s biggest stage, and why the support of family and positive moments off the ice mattered just as much as the medals themselves.

After achieving the ultimate athletic milestone, Stolz says the message behind Hershey’s new campaign resonates deeply with him. “I guess the slogan really resonates once you've actually won a gold medal yourself,” Stolz said. “And, just to have the whole Hershey's team behind me, it's something that's very personal."

Despite the roaring crowd and Olympic spotlight, Stolz said his mind immediately went to the people who helped him get there. “Probably my mom,” he revealed when asked who he thought about after crossing the finish line.

He explained that both of his parents had been waiting years to see their son compete on the Olympic stage. “I also thought of my dad, and I think they were both waiting for this moment for a long time, and finally it's here," Stolz told The Blast. "It's the Olympic Games, and let's see if our son can win gold like he should be able to with all the other competitions he's been winning.”

For Stolz, the moment represented years of dedication not only by him but also by his entire family.

The Olympics may represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement, but Stolz emphasized that the smallest moments can make a big difference during the intense competition. “Little things go a long way,” he said.

That includes support from partners like Hershey’s and simple moments that help athletes stay mentally balanced. “And yeah, sharing Hershey's chocolate, I mean, that means a lot," he said. "Having them and their support behind you, that's all helpful."

Because speed skating is such a mentally demanding sport, maintaining positivity can be just as important as physical preparation. “And, speed skating is especially just a really mental sport, so to be able to have anything around you that's positive," Stolz added. "It's a long way.”

While Stolz won multiple medals during the Games, one moment in particular stands out in his memory. “I think winning the thousand meter," he revealed, which was his first gold medal. “Even if nothing else happens, you'll still have a gold medal, and that's something that you've worked for for so long.”

Standing on the podium and experiencing the media attention afterward made the moment feel even more surreal. “And to finally have that moment on the podium, and even the media stuff ... you've kind of earned all of it, right? So, it was a really surreal feeling.”

Despite the pressure of competing on the Olympic stage, Stolz says his mindset before stepping onto the ice was surprisingly calm. “I was more so in kind of, like, an autopilot mode,” he explained. “I mean, I knew what I had to do, and I've been doing it all season.”

Still, the environment inside the arena was unforgettable. “Learning the environment with the crowd cheering and everything, it was super loud in there," Stolz recalled. "It was, and there was, of course, a lot of pressure, because it's… you only get one shot, and you can just feel the nerves from everybody.”

Even with the stress, Stolz described the experience as unforgettable. “It was super cool," he admitted. "I would love to relive it again in four years, and it's just something that'll be in my memory for a long time.”