Super Francesca Lollobrigida, first gold medal for Italy

A super Francesca Lollobrigida gave Italy its first gold medal at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: the champion triumphed in the 3000 meters on her 35th birthday. A result that few expected given the very strong competition, but the Frascati star surprised everyone by achieving a resounding goal.

Francesca Lollobrigida set a new Olympic record thanks to a time of 3’54″28. Behind the champion Azzurra Ragne Wiklund (Norway) 3’56″54 (+2″26) and Valerie Maltais (Canada) 3’56″93 (+2″65).

The time was 3’54″28.

This is the champion’s fourth participation in the Winter Olympics after those in Soči 2014, Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022. At the latter edition she won the silver medal in the 3,000 meters and the bronze medal in the mass start. In March 2025 Francesca Lollobrigida became the first Italian woman ever to win a gold medal in the World Speed Skating Championships, over the 5000 meter distance.