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Arianna Fontana strikes again: record silver in 500m short track

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Arianna Fontana will not stop writing history at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. After winning a wonderful gold medal with the Azzurra mixed short track relay team, together with Elisa Confortola, Thomas Nadalini and Pietro Sighel, the 35-year-old from Valtellina won a splendid silver in the 500-meter individual short track final. Beating her was only the Dutchwoman Xandra Velzeboer, while on the lowest step of the podium was Canada&#8217s Courtney Sarault.

Luca Giorgetti“Poor behavior”, Jutta Leerdam under attack. The photos

Jutta under attack: photos of the hugely popular champion
The Dutch skating star is receiving a considerable amount of criticism
Many are pointing fingers at his behaviors, judged by the Dutch press "over the top"
It all stemmed from Jutta Leerdam’s decision to travel to Italy for the Winter Olympics in her private jet and not by plane along with her colleagues

"Unbecoming behavior, if I had been the'coach I wouldn't have allowed it" wrote journalist Johan Derksen
"She is no different from the others, I find her decision ridiculous" added

Johan Derksen’s statements have divided the fans: there're those who are on the side of the champion and those who condemn her behavior
Jutta Leerdam is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most popular athletes worldwide
The very strong skater, thanks to her popularity, has signed very important sponsorship contracts
Her fame has grown even more since she unveiled her relationship with famous boxer Jake Paul
The same Paul on Saturday showed up outside the Olympic village with a bouquet of roses for his girlfriend

For the short track star this is the 13th career medal at the Olympic Games equaling Edoardo Mangiarotti’s historic record (13 Olympic medals in fencing between 1936 and 1960). In the six consecutive editions of the Games (Turin 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018, Beijing 2022, and Milan Cortina 2026), the Italian skater has always medaled: before her, only Armin Zöggeler, world luge legend, had succeeded, standing on the podium from Lillehammer 1994 to Sochi 2014.

Arianna Fontana’s palmarès includes three Olympic gold medals (mixed relay Milan Cortina 2026, plus individual ones in the 500 meters in Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022), five silver medals (in addition to today’s, also in the 500 meters in 2014, in the 3000 meters relay in 2018, in the 1500 meters and 2000 meters relay in 2022) and five bronze medals (3000 meters relay in 2006, 500 meters in 2010, 1500 meters and 3000 meters relay in 2014, 1000 meters in 2018). A true mosaic of successes, which no other Italian female athlete had ever achieved before her.

Arianna Fontana is the only active athlete among the ten most medaled Italians ever at the Olympic Games, summer and winter. Behind her is in fact swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri, who with five total medals (one gold, two silvers and as many bronzes) is in 15th place in the overall ranking.

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