A dramatic moment in the men’s 1000-meter speed skating final became one of the most talked-about events of this year’s Winter Olympics. Team USA’s Jordan Stolz delivered a remarkable performance, breaking the Olympic record by nearly a full second with a time of 1:06.28 to claim the gold medal. However, much of the post-race conversation centered on an incident that affected Dutch skater Joep Wennemars during his crucial run.
Wennemars, considered a strong contender based on his excellent form throughout the Games, encountered trouble near the finish line when his skates made contact with China’s Lian Ziwen. The brief collision disrupted his momentum at a critical moment, preventing him from delivering the powerful finish many believed he was capable of achieving. Commentators described the situation as deeply unfortunate, noting how close he appeared to a potentially record-breaking result.
After officials reviewed the incident, Ziwen was disqualified for making his lane transition too early, which interfered with Wennemars’ race. As a result, the Dutch athlete was granted the opportunity to re-skate alone. Unfortunately, worsening ice conditions later in the session made it difficult to improve his time, and he ultimately remained in fifth place.
In the end, Wennemars’ teammate Jenning De Boo secured the silver medal, while China’s Ning Zhongyan claimed bronze. The episode highlighted both the unpredictable nature of elite competition and the fine margins that can shape Olympic outcomes.