Lollobrigida's Golden Glide: A Nation's Pride, A Family's Joy
A Historic Win for Italy on Home Ice
Francesca Lollobrigida secured a groundbreaking victory in the women's 3,000-meter speed skating competition on Saturday. This remarkable achievement delivered Italy its first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games, simultaneously shattering the prolonged Dutch supremacy in this event, which had seen them claim three consecutive Olympic titles.
Podium Glory and Record-Breaking Performance
Joining Lollobrigida on the medal stand were Norway's Ragne Wiklund and Canada's Valerie Maltais, as the speed skating events commenced at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Lollobrigida's exceptional performance saw her set a new Olympic record, completing the race in an astonishing three minutes and 54.28 seconds, a full 2.26 seconds faster than Wiklund, making her the first Italian woman to win an Olympic speed skating title.
A Career Milestone: First Olympic Gold
This momentous win marked the 35-year-old athlete's inaugural Olympic gold medal. It complements her previous Olympic achievements from Beijing in 2022, where she earned a silver in the 3,000m and a bronze in the mass start.
Fueled by Expectation: A Birthday Triumph
Participating in her fourth Olympic Games, and celebrating her birthday amidst an enthusiastic home crowd, Lollobrigida channeled the immense pressure and expectations into a powerful drive for success.
Beyond the Track: The Significance of Her Victory
Reflecting on her achievement, Lollobrigida shared, "This medal signifies so much, but it also demonstrates the spirit of perseverance—to never give up, to build a family, to become a mother, and to return to competition."
An Emotional Celebration with Her Son
Lollobrigida, racing in the eighth pairing alongside Maltais and starting in the outer lane, maintained a fierce competition with the Canadian before ultimately pulling ahead with a decisive surge. Upon realizing her triumph, an overjoyed Lollobrigida draped herself in the Italian flag and rushed to embrace her two-year-old son in a heartwarming display of emotion.
A Family's Support, A Nation's Cheers
The Italian skater, who is the great-niece of the celebrated late film icon Gina Lollobrigida and cousin to Italy's Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, savored the moment as the stadium erupted in celebration around her. "Being here in Italy, knowing my son, my husband, my mom, my dad, my sister, all my friends were present... I was truly ecstatic," she expressed. "I achieved this for myself, but also for everyone who has always believed in me."
Ending a Dutch Dominance
Lollobrigida's victory brought an end to the Netherlands' formidable legacy in the 3,000m event. The Dutch famously swept the podium at PyeongChang 2018, and Irene Schouten, who won gold at Beijing 2022, has since retired. In Milan, Joy Beune and Marijke Groenewoud were considered strong contenders to uphold Dutch supremacy, along with Wiklund, but Lollobrigida had other plans.
The Field's Performance and Italy's Ascendancy
Beune finished in fourth place, while Groenewoud secured eighth. Canada's Isabelle Weidemann, a triple medalist from Beijing, placed fifth. Greta Myers, the sole U.S. entrant who was a late addition due to an injury withdrawal, finished 20th. While the Netherlands continues to be a powerhouse in speed skating with a record 48 Olympic gold medals, Lollobrigida's victory marks Italy's third Olympic gold in the sport, signifying a rising force in the discipline.