Jordan Stolz was already a prodigiously talented speed skater when he made his Olympic debut as a teenager three years ago so it is no surprise that the American is heading to next year's Milano Cortina Games brimming with confidence.

Since finishing 13th in the 500 metres and 14th in the 1,000 at the age of 17 at his first Winter Olympics, Stolz has earned a reputation as one of the world's fastest sprinters.

Six world championship golds and a couple of world records, including one in the 1,000, have given him good reason for expecting to bring home at least a medal from the Milano Speed Skating Stadium next February.

"Going into this year, I feel like, I'm way better than I was going into 2022," the now 21-year-old told Reuters.

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