The future of American speedskating was on display in Italy, as Jordan Stolz had a coming-out party with two gold medals and a silver. At just 21, he leaves with big accomplishments but has fuel for more in the 2030 Games in the French Alps. But focusing on today, hockey's ultimate stage is here as the United States and Canada face off for the gold medal for the first time since the 2010 Games. The stakes are high and we have three bold predictions ahead of the battle. On to the newsletter. |
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Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated |
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By Pat Forde Jordan Stolz exits these Olympic Games with two gold medals, one silver and a smile on his face. It was a great performance by the 21-year-old speedskater from Wisconsin. As of Saturday afternoon, he is the only American athlete at these Winter Games to win multiple gold medals and three individual medals. He set Olympic records in the two events he won, further cementing his status as the brightest star in his sport. "It was pretty successful," he said with a smile. And yet, there was just enough left on the table that should keep him hungry for 2030. Stolz was nipped by 0.77 seconds in the 1,500-meter race, preventing him from a gold medal hat trick in standard long-track events. And then there was the tactical oddity of the mass start race Saturday in which he finished fourth, missing the podium by .09. That was one to grow on. |
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Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated |
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By Pat Forde Every Olympics is only as good as its mass transportation, and this particular moment was a snapshot of Italian inefficiency. Trying to descend into town from the Alpine ski venue on the night of Feb. 18, 23 of us were crammed like circus clowns into a van with 11 seats. Everyone had winter coats and work backpacks, and a few passengers had skis, boots, helmets and poles. So many armpits, so little room. And then it got worse. A sudden roadblock on the winding path down. Unsmiling Carabinieri with flashlights, issuing orders to get off the van for it to be searched. Nobody knew what was going on. After all of us filtered out into the road, an explanation was passed around: "Something has been lost." Unless it was Mikaela Shiffrin's just-won gold medal or a cache of weapons, a roadblock and search seemed excessive. Whatever was lost did not turn up in our van. We reloaded, which was about like trying to re-pack a stuffed suitcase that you could barely close the first time. Somehow, we all herded back on and kept creeping down the mountain, trying to end the workday in fewer than 12 hours. The consensus mood: sour. |
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Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated |
By Mike Kadlick
It all comes down to this. After semifinal wins over Finland and Slovakia, respectively, Team USA and Team Canada are set for a gold medal showdown at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It marks the first time the rivals will meet in the Games' final since Vancouver 2010. Puck drop is set for 8:10 a.m. on Sunday. ET from Milano Santagiulia Arena, with men's hockey supremacy on the line. Here are three bold predictions for the gold medal bout: |
United States- 🥇11 🥈12 🥉9 (32) |
Nethlerlands - 🥇10 🥈7 🥉3 (20) |
Switzerland - 🥇6 🥈8 🥉6 (20) |
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated |
Jordan Stolz finished fourth in the mass start to end his 2026 Winter Olympics. |
- 8:10 a.m. ET: Men's hockey gold medal game: U.S. vs. Canada (NBC) MEDAL 🏅
- 2:30 p.m. ET: 2026 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony (NBC)
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