China's Ning stuns field to claim 1,500m gold at Milano Cortina

MILAN — China's Ning Zhongyan delivered a sensational performance to win the men's 1,500 meters at the Winter Olympics on Thursday, capturing his and his nation's first speed skating gold at these Games. American Jordan Stolz claimed silver, while two-time defending Olympic 1,500m champion Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands secured bronze to round out a high-caliber podium. ADVERTISEMENT Stolz entered the event as the overwhelming favorite after record-breaking victories in both the 1,000m and 500m. But the field was stacked with heavyweights, including Ning; Nuis, the 1,500m world record holder; newly crowned 5,000m Olympic champion Sander Eitrem; 10,000m gold medalist Metodej Jilek; as well as...