In a spectacular display of athletic prowess and national pride, Italian speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida secured host nation Italy’s inaugural gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games with a record-breaking performance in the women’s 3,000 meters event on Saturday. The veteran athlete achieved this milestone on her 35th birthday, delivering an unforgettable moment for the roaring home crowd that rose to their feet in celebration.
Lollobrigida completed the race in an Olympic record time of 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds, finishing more than two seconds ahead of Norwegian contender Ragne Wiklund who claimed silver. Canadian skater Valerie Maltais rounded out the podium with a bronze medal performance.
The victory holds particular significance as it represents not only Lollobrigida’s first Olympic gold but also marks the first time an Italian woman has triumphed in speedskating at the Winter Games. The accomplished athlete, who balances motherhood with elite competition as parent to a two-year-old son, previously earned two medals at the Beijing Games four years ago—silver in the 3,000 meters and bronze in the mass start event.
Hailing from Frascati, a picturesque hill town near Rome renowned for its white wine production, Lollobrigida carries a legacy of Italian excellence—her great aunt was the legendary 1950s and 60s film star Gina Lollobrigida.
The emotional weight of the moment was palpable throughout the competition. During pre-race introductions, Lollobrigida received thunderous applause from patriotic spectators, responding with an enthusiastic smile and dual-arm wave before placing her hands over her heart in gratitude. Though initially trailing behind Maltais at the first checkpoint, the Italian champion steadily gained momentum, seemingly propelled by the vocal support from her compatriots, and delivered a powerful final lap with her arms swinging rhythmically behind her.
Lollobrigida’s record-shattering time surpassed the previous Olympic benchmark set by Irene Schouten at the 2022 Beijing Games by an impressive 2.5 seconds. As subsequent skaters took to the ice, the emotional champion frequently covered her eyes with her hands, unable to watch the remaining competition that would determine her final standing.