Jordan Stolz captured Olympic gold in the men’s 1000 meters at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, but his pre-race routine is far simpler than fans might expect. Despite his well-known love of pizza and pasta, the 21-year-old American speed skater eats only one thing before stepping onto the ice: rice.
Stolz won the 1000 meters in Olympic-record time on Wednesday, holding off the field after a blistering closing stretch. He trailed silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands with 400 meters to go but surged late to secure his first Olympic gold medal.
“It was just a feeling like, ‘You finally did it,’” Stolz said after the race. “It almost doesn’t seem real, right?”
Update February 14, 2026: Jordan Stolz has now won gold in both the 500m and 1000m and set new Olympic records in both.
Jordan Stolz Wins Olympic Gold in 1000 Meters
Stolz waited more than 10 minutes after crossing the finish line to officially celebrate, as another competitor received a re-skate opportunity. Confident in his time, he remained calm.
“I didn’t think anybody was going to beat that time,” Stolz said.
When the results became official, he leaned forward to receive his gold medal and later completed a celebratory lap with the American flag. The victory marked a milestone for the Wisconsin native, who began skating at age 5 on a frozen pond in his backyard after watching the 2010 Winter Olympics on television.
Jordan Stolz’s Pre-Race Meal Is Only Rice
While many elite athletes follow complex nutrition plans, Stolz keeps his pre-race meal straightforward. Speaking to Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel in Italy, he revealed that his lunch before competition consists solely of rice.
“The lunch before a race, it’s only rice,” Stolz said. He avoids adding protein or other foods. “I just feel like it doesn’t sit well in my stomach. I’m trying to get as many carbs in as possible.”
Carbohydrates provide the energy needed for explosive efforts in events like the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m. If he still feels hungry before a race, Stolz supplements with a carbohydrate gel.
“If I still feel hungry because [I’m] anxious, I’ll just pop a gel, 40 grams of carbs,” he said.
Stolz Balances Rice With Steak and Salmon
Outside of race day, Stolz follows a broader diet that includes significant protein intake. Leading up to the Games, he focused on fueling for workouts.
“Before I came here I was eating a lot of steak,” Stolz said. “Trying to get as many carbs in before my workouts.” He also mentioned eating a good amount of salmon.
His calorie intake shifts depending on his training cycle. As competition approaches, he reduces his daily intake.
“It’s moreso of a mixture of probably 3,000 calories a day,” Stolz explained. “Not like before, which is like 5,000.”
The 2026 Gold Medal Winner Sets the Record Straight on Pizza Habit
Stolz’s love of Italian food has followed him for years. A 2022 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article reported that he “eats pizza every day before training.”
Speaking to People in connection with his partnership with Hershey’s It’s Your Happy Place campaign, Stolz clarified that claim.
“It’s not every day, but it’s frequent,” he said. “It’s usually pasta or pizza. Yeah, I said that four years ago and it stuck with everybody now, but I do eat it pretty frequently.”
With the Olympics taking place in Italy, Stolz is looking forward to the local cuisine.
“In Milan, I think it’s going to be good, but the pasta. I’m honestly probably bigger into the pasta,” he said.
For dessert, he keeps it simple and personal. He said he reaches for Hershey’s fudge “because my mom uses it for the cheesecake.”
Gold Medal Winner Jordan Stolz Only Eats 1 Thing Before a Race Despite His Love of Pizza