Jordan Stolz seeks his 2nd speedskating gold of the Olympics in the 500 meters

MILAN (AP) — Jordan Stolz was going to try to win his second speedskating gold medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday, competing in the 500 meters.

The 21-year-old from Wisconsin is coming off a victory in Wednesday's 1,000, the first of his four individual events at the 2026 Winter Games. He is considered a contender for gold in all four. The men's record for most speedskating titles at one Olympics is the five for Eric Heiden at Lake Placid in 1980 — who also was the last man to win the 500 and 1,000 at the same Games.

The last American to win Olympic gold in the men’s 500 was Casey FitzRandolph in 2002.

Racing in the 500 was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), and Stolz was placed in the 13th of the 15 two-man heats. In a fascinating pairing, he was slated to skate head-to-head against reigning 500 world champion Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, the man who was the runner-up in the 1,000. In that race, de Boo held the lead after 600 meters, before Stolz roared past him with a tremendous final lap.

After that race, Stolz was asked whether there should be more medals to come.

“I hope so. I feel like this gives you kind of a feel of what it's going to be like. There's a little bit less pressure now that I’ve got one gold medal,” Stolz said. “Because one gold medal is huge enough, right? It would be super nice to have two, three, right? But just having one means a lot.”

Asked that day how he intended to get ready for the 500, Stolz replied: “Just try and prepare mentally. This was a good prep, because you kind of know what to expect. I think I should be good.”

He and de Boo were the favorites in the shortest event in speedskating.

Stolz is a two-time world champion in the 500, as well as the 1,000 and the 1,500, which will be contested on Thursday. He's also entered in the mass start on Feb. 21.

These are the American's second Olympics. He finished 13th in the 500 and 14th in the 1,000 at the 2022 Beijing Games at age 17.

Also on Saturday's speedskating schedule, before the 500, were the quarterfinals in women's team pursuit. That event's medals will be determined Tuesday.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Jordan Stolz of the U.S. competes to win the gold medal in the men's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Jordan Stolz of the United States competes during the men's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Gold medallist Jordan Stolz of the U.S. celebrates after the men's 1,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

LONDON (AP) — Tottenham appointed Igor Tudor as interim manager on Saturday after Thomas Frank was fired three days ago.

The former Juventus coach takes over till the end of the season at a time when Spurs is just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

“It is an honour to join this club at an important moment," Tudor said. “I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”

Juventus fired Tudor on Oct. 27 following three straight losses and an eight-match winless run, with the Italian powerhouse eighth in Serie A.

The 47-year-old Croatian was previously in charge of Lazio, Udinese, Marseille, Galatasaray and other clubs in Croatia and elsewhere.

Tudor is the sixth head coach in less than seven years at Spurs since Mauricio Pochettino left in 2019.

“Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact," Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange said. “Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Frank was fired after he failed to build on his previous success at London rival Brentford.

Despite leading Spurs to the round of 16 in the Champions League, Frank has overseen a desperate domestic campaign. A 2-1 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday was greeted by boos from the home fans and left the club without a league win in 2026.

The home defeat to Newcastle extended a woeful run to one win in 11 in England’s top flight.

Spurs dropped to 16th in the standings, two places above the relegation zone.

Frank was appointed at the end of last season when Ange Postecoglou was fired despite leading Tottenham to its first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League, and securing Champions League qualification.

Tottenham's next fixture is at home to local rival Arsenal in the Premier League on Feb. 22.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - Juventus' head coach Igor Tudor during the Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Juventus at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP, File)