Italian short track speed skater Arianna Fontana has made history as her country's most decorated Olympian. During the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, she won her fourteenth medal, a silver in the women's 3000-meter relay. This success was watched from the stands by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Italian team finished second only to South Korea, ahead of Canada and the Netherlands in a dramatic final.

Fontana's Historic Record

The Italian speed skater won her 14th Olympic medal, breaking the record held since 1960 by Edoardo Mangiarotti and becoming Italy's most decorated Olympian.

Silver in Women's Relay

The Italian team won second place in the 3000 m final, losing only to South Korea, after a dramatic fight in the final laps.

Presence of Prime Minister Meloni

Giorgia Meloni cheered for the athletes from the stands of the Forum di Assago, highlighting the importance of the national success and was enthusiastically received by the athletes.

Disappointment for Pietro Sighel

The home favorite was eliminated in the semifinals of the 500 m after a collision and, in protest against the judges' decision, withdrew from the B final.

On the twelfth day of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the women's relay in short track provided Italian fans with immense excitement. The Italian team consisting of Arianna Fontana, Elisa Confortola, Chiara Betti, and Arianna Sighel won the silver medal in the 3000-meter race. For most of the 27-lap distance, the Italians were off the podium, but a spectacular chase in the final stages allowed them to take second place, just behind the unbeatable South Korea on that day. The podium was completed by the Canadian team. This success has historical significance for Italian sport. Arianna Fontana won her 14th Olympic medal, thereby breaking the over-sixty-year record of legendary fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, who amassed 13 medals between 1936 and 1960. Fontana, whose career began in Turin in 2006, has become an icon of the Winter Olympics, celebrating her success in the embrace of her husband and coach, Anthony Lobello. Edoardo Mangiarotti, whose record Fontana broke, was an outstanding specialist in épée and foil. His dominance spanned five editions of the Games, and the record of 13 medals was considered almost unbeatable in Italy until the era of modern short track. The event also gained political and image significance due to the presence of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Forum di Assago in Milan. The head of government did not hide her emotion, congratulating the athletes personally at the ice rink. „We promised the Prime Minister our racing suits and we will make sure she gets them.” — Arianna Fontana Meloni emphasized that the successes of women, especially Fontana's historic feat, give her immense energy. Meanwhile, in the men's competition, there was disappointment – Pietro Sighel was eliminated in the semifinals of the 500-meter race after a controversial contact with a rival, which led to protests from the Italian team and the athlete's withdrawal from the B final. Number of Olympic medals of Italian sports legends: Arianna Fontana: 14, Edoardo Mangiarotti: 13, Valentina Vezzali: 9 14 — Olympic medals in the career of Arianna Fontana [{"pozycja": 1, "nazwa": "South Korea", "wynik": "Gold"}, {"pozycja": 2, "nazwa": "Italy", "info": "Fontana, Confortola, Betti, Sighel", "wynik": "Silver"}, {"pozycja": 3, "nazwa": "Canada", "wynik": "Bronze"}, {"pozycja": 4, "nazwa": "Netherlands", "wynik": "Final"}] Short track debuted as a medal discipline in 1992 in Albertville. Since then, it has become one of the most spectacular but also unpredictable events of the Winter Olympics due to frequent falls and judges' penalties.

Mentioned People

  • Arianna Fontana — Italian short track speed skater, fourteen-time Olympic medalist.
  • Giorgia Meloni — Prime Minister of Italy present in the stands during the finals in Milan.
  • Pietro Sighel — Italian speed skater specializing in short track, who was eliminated in the semifinals of the 500-meter race.