Something fast: The Silver Bullet

"It's still pretty surreal, a childhood dream that's come true."
— Zach Stoppelmoor to WOC talk radio about competing in speed skating in this year's Winter Olympics

Zach "The Silver Bullet" Stoppelmoor is set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, and news service photos capture some of his practices in Italy this week.

• He's the first Iowan to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.

Details: Stoppelmoor, 26, grew up in West Des Moines.

• He began inline speed skating on roller skates at Skate West (now the home of Tallgrass Theater Company) and Skate South in DSM at age 6.
• His nickname is a reference to the silver helmet he wore when he was a kid.

What's next: The Winter Olympics open Friday in Milan.

• The men's 500m — Stoppelmoor's signature event — is Feb. 14, starting at 9am.