The Milan Olympics: Dan Jansen’s Perspective
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By Dan Jansen
As the Olympic Winter Games return to Europe, I’m preparing for my 11th Winter Olympics—this time with the freedom to truly take it all in.
I’ve been to the Games four times as a competitor and six times as an analyst. Each experience came with pressure, focus, and responsibility.
This one feels different.
I’ll be in Milan and Cortina representing the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and U.S. Speedskating, but for the first time, I’ll also be able to step back and enjoy the Olympics as a whole.
That’s a rare opportunity—and one I’m really looking forward to.
Why These Games Feel Special
All of the ice sports—speed skating, short track, ice hockey, and figure skating—will take place in Milan, where we’ll be staying.
That means I’ll be able to move between venues, see a wide range of events, and reconnect with friends across different sports who I’ve come to know over decades in the Olympic world.
When you’re competing, the Olympics are incredibly intense. You’re locked into your own preparation and performance. You don’t always get to see what makes the Games so special beyond your own event.
This time, I get to experience that.
Speed Skating: A Star You’re Going to Know
By the time the Games wrap up on February 22, anyone watching in the U.S. will know the name Jordan Stolz.
Jordan is just 21 years old, competing in his second Olympics—but in many ways, this will feel like his first.
The 2022 Beijing Games were heavily impacted by COVID. There were no friends or family in the stands, and for the most part, no crowds at all. That environment didn’t offer the full Olympic experience.
Milan will.
Jordan enters these Games with a legitimate chance to win four gold medals. Here’s how I see his events playing out.
Event-by-Event: What to Watch
1000 meters — February 11
Jordan will be the favorite here. He’s been nearly unbeatable all season, and this race sets the tone for everything that follows.
500 meters — February 14
This will be his toughest challenge. The sprint field is deep, including Damian Zurek of Poland, who beat Jordan at the Final World Cup just weeks before the Games.
That said, if Jordan wins the 1000 as expected, I believe he’ll skate loose—and once the pressure is off, he’s incredibly hard to beat.
1500 meters — February 19
He’s the heavy favorite again. His combination of speed and endurance separates him from the field.
Mass Start — February 21
This is the wildcard.
Sixteen to twenty skaters on the ice at once.
Sixteen laps.
Breakaways, tactics, and constant pressure.
Everyone knows the strategy: push the pace early and try to wear Jordan down. But if he’s anywhere near the front with a lap or two to go, no one can match his closing speed.
If this weren’t the final event of the Games, I’m not certain he’d even skate it. But with nothing to lose, he’ll be the most feared competitor on the ice.
Other Americans to Watch
In long track, Casey Dawson will threaten the podium in the 5,000 meters and anchor the Men’s Team Pursuit. The U.S. holds the world record in that event and will enter as the favorites.
On the women’s side, Erin Jackson will defend her Olympic title in the 500 meters. She’ll have her hands full with Femke Kok of the Netherlands, but Erin has proven she can rise to the moment.
Brittany Bowe, a four-time Olympian, will turn 38 just days after the Games end. She’ll contend in both the 1000 and 1500 meters, with her best medal opportunity likely coming in the 1000.
Also keep an eye on Mia Manganello in the Women’s Mass Start. She’s been consistently on the podium in World Cup events this season and is more than capable of a breakthrough Olympic performance.
Beyond Speed Skating
One of the things I’m most excited about is watching the other sports and seeing so many great stories unfold.
In alpine skiing, it’s impossible not to admire Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin—the two most dominant women skiers in history. Mikaela’s resilience and continued return to top form is inspiring, and Lindsey’s comeback is a powerful reminder of what experience and determination can achieve.
Both U.S. hockey teams look strong heading into the Games. The women once again appear poised for a high-level showdown with Canada, and the men’s team has the depth and momentum to compete for a medal.
In figure skating, the U.S. brings one of its most exciting teams in years, with a blend of depth, creativity, and competitive edge that should make for a memorable performance.
What the Olympics Still Mean to Me
The Olympic Games represent the highest level of sport—not just because of medals, but because of what it takes to get there.
Years of preparation.
Setbacks and sacrifices.
Pressure that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it.
And then, finally, the chance to perform when the entire world is watching.
To every athlete stepping onto the ice, the snow, or the Olympic stage in Milan and Cortina:
Good luck. Take it in. Enjoy it.
This is the experience every athlete dreams of.
I can’t wait to be there and witness it.