China's Ning Zhongyan Sets Olympic Record in Men's 1500m Speed Skating

China's Ning Zhongyan delivered a masterclass performance on the ice to win Olympic gold in the men's 1500m speed skating, setting a new Olympic record in the process at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

The 24-year-old Chinese speedskater clocked an Olympic record time that put him clearly ahead of the field, finishing 0.77 seconds faster than American Jordan Stolz, who claimed the silver medal. Ning's victory represents his third medal of the 2026 Games and marks his first career Olympic gold, the culmination of years of dedication to his sport.

The men's 1500m has traditionally been one of the most competitive events in speed skating, with mere hundredths of a second often separating medal positions. Ning's commanding performance and substantial margin of victory made a powerful statement about his current form and technical ability.

"I've been working toward this moment for so many years," Ning said after his victory. "To finally win Olympic gold and set a new record makes it even more special. This is for my country and everyone who supported me along the way."

Ning's technique throughout the race was textbook perfect, maintaining ideal positioning through the turns and demonstrating exceptional stamina in the final 400 meters where many competitors typically fade. His pacing strategy proved masterful, as he built a lead early and never allowed his rivals to close the gap.

The victory adds to China's impressive medal haul at the Milan Cortina Games and showcases the country's growing strength in winter sports. For American Jordan Stolz, the silver medal continues what has been an excellent Olympics, though he'll surely be motivated to challenge Ning again in future competitions. The men's speed skating events have provided thrilling competition throughout these Games, with Ning's record-setting performance serving as a fitting highlight.