The penultimate day of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics became a historic moment for Italian sport. The host nation's team won its thirtieth medal, setting a record achievement for a single Winter Games. The success was sealed by Simone Deromedis, who won gold in ski cross, and Federico Tomasoni with a silver medal. The thirtieth trophy, a bronze in speed skating mass start, was added by Andrea Giovannini, who overtook his rivals on the final lap at the Rho Fiera hall.

Historic medal record

Italy reached the milestone of 30 medals at a single Winter Games, which is the best result in the history of their participation.

Double in ski cross

Simone Deromedis (gold) and Federico Tomasoni (silver) dominated the ski cross final in Livigno.

Dorothea Wierer's farewell

A biathlon icon ended her sports career, finishing in fifth place in the mass start in Anterselva.

Giovannini's 30th medal

Andrea Giovannini won bronze in speed skating, sealing the thirtieth medal for the host nation's team.

The penultimate day of Olympic competition in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo became the arena for unprecedented successes by Italian athletes. The key event was the ski cross final in Livigno, where Simone Deromedis and Federico Tomasoni won gold and silver medals respectively. For Tomasoni, this success had a deep personal and emotional dimension, as he dedicated it to his late partner, Matilde Lorenzi, who died in tragic circumstances during training in autumn 2024. The athlete's father, Adolfo Lorenzi, publicly congratulated the sportsman, emphasizing that his daughter's spirit accompanied him on the course. The tradition of winter games in Italy dates back to 1956, when Cortina d'Ampezzo hosted athletes for the first time, becoming one of the first venues to broadcast competitions live on television. Equally significant decisions were made in speed skating. Andrea Giovannini won bronze in the mass start, which officially became Italy's 30th medal. Less fortunate was Francesca Lollobrigida, who after two previous gold medals, this time placed fourth, admitting after the start that she made a tactical error in executing the finish. Simultaneously in biathlon, a legend of the discipline, Dorothea Wierer, bid farewell to her professional career, finishing fifth in her final performance before her home crowd in Anterselva. „Vincere la medaglia olimpica è la massima aspirazione di ogni atleta, vincerla a casa è fantastico, il massimo.” (Winning an Olympic medal is the highest aspiration of every athlete, winning it at home is fantastic, the best.) — Simone Deromedis Organizers also highlight the immense image success of the Games. Christian Klaue from the International Olympic Committee reported that official Olympic channels generated 5.3 billion interactions, and considering the reach of athletes and creators, the total digital result approached a record 10 billion. Despite the joy over the medal count, Italy slightly dropped in the overall standings, giving way to the Netherlands, which dominated the final skating events. Nevertheless, the achievement of 10 gold medals makes these Games the most successful for the hosts in decades. „Il destino porta la vita a vivere certe situazioni. Senza mai mollare e mai arrendersi prima o poi si arriva anche a sognare in grande.” (Destiny leads life to live certain situations. Without ever giving up and never surrendering, sooner or later you can also dream big.) — Federico Tomasoni

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