MILAN — The seemingly unshakeable Jordan Stolz finally got knocked off balance—first by the clock, and then by reality. Stolz has approached this whole Olympics with the deliberate intensity of a hired assassin. He came here to win at least three gold medals but was careful not to predict it. He spoke respectfully of other skaters but did not overdo it. Then he looked up on Thursday afternoon and saw 1:41.98.
China’s Ning Zhongyan had set an Olympic record at 1,500 meters. Stolz knew Ning was a threat. But he did not expect a sub-1:42 time from anyone.
