Italian representative Arianna Fontana placed fourth in the 1000m short track final at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Considered the most decorated athlete in the history of the discipline, Fontana failed to make the podium this time after a controversial contact with rivals in the final stage of the race. The gold medal was won by Dutch skater Xandra Velzeboer, silver by Canadian Courtney Sarault, and bronze by South Korean Kim Gilli.

Fontana's Fourth Place

Italian champion Arianna Fontana placed fourth in the 1000-meter final, losing her chance for a medal after a collision.

Dutch Skater's Triumph

The gold medal was won by Xandra Velzeboer of the Netherlands, confirming her dominance and winning her third Olympic gold.

Record Hunt Continues

Fontana still needs one medal to become the most decorated Olympian in Italy's history.

During the short track competition held at the Milano Skating Arena, the host nation's representative Arianna Fontana failed to win her fourteenth Olympic medal of her career. In an exciting 1000-meter final, the 35-year-old athlete from Valtellina crossed the finish line in fourth place. Fontana, who had already won gold in the relay and silver in the 500-meter at these Games, was hoping for a historic record that would make her Italy's most decorated Olympian, surpassing legendary fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti. The final was extremely dynamic. Fontana, starting with an excellent time from the semifinals (1:28.613), long remained in contention for the top spots. However, in the final stage of the race, there was physical contact between the skaters, causing the Italian to lose her rhythm and drop to the last, fourth position in the final group. The winner was Dutch skater Xandra Velzeboer, for whom this was already her third Olympic gold medal of her career. The podium was completed by Canadian Courtney Sarault and South Korean debutant Kim Gilli. Short track speed skating made its debut as a medal discipline at the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992 and has since become one of the most unpredictable winter sports. Despite momentary disappointment, Arianna Fontana is not yet finished competing in front of her home crowd. The Italian still has two medal chances in other events, giving her a real prospect of setting the desired all-time record. In post-race comments, the athlete did not hide her irritation over the incident on the ice, noting that she felt strong enough to fight for the podium. Italian fans still hope their national heroine will crown her career with historic success on home soil. „I am very angry, I laugh so as not to cry. I was on track for a medal, but there was contact that eliminated me.” — Arianna Fontana [{"position": 1, "name": "Xandra Velzeboer", "info": "Netherlands", "result": "Gold"}, {"position": 2, "name": "Courtney Sarault", "info": "Canada", "result": "Silver"}, {"position": 3, "name": "Kim Gilli", "info": "South Korea", "result": "Bronze"}, {"position": 4, "name": "Arianna Fontana", "info": "Italy", "result": "No medal"}] 13 — Olympic medals currently held by Arianna Fontana

Mentioned People

  • Arianna Fontana — Italian short track speed skater, multiple Olympic medalist.
  • Xandra Velzeboer — Dutch speed skater, gold medalist in the 1000 meters.
  • Edoardo Mangiarotti — Legendary Italian fencer, previously Italy's record holder for Olympic medals.