China’s Ning Zhongyan won Olympic gold in men’s 1,500m speed skating, setting a new record and defeating defending champion Jordan Stolz.

China’s Ning Zhongyan won gold in the men’s 1,500m speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics, setting a new Olympic record of 1:41.98 and securing China’s first gold in the event. He edged out defending champion Jordan Stolz of the United States, who took silver, while the Netherlands’ Kjeld Nuis claimed bronze. Ning, who already had two bronze medals in Milan, called the victory a breakthrough after overcoming a personal plateau since his 2022 seventh-place finish. Stolz, aiming for a historic third gold, fell short despite being the favorite and previously undefeated in the event.