Francesca Lollobrigida won Italy’s first gold medal at the Winter Olympics on the 3,000 meter speed skating event, setting a new Olympic and national record on her 35th birthday.
NOS, published in the Netherlands, reported on the contrasting emotions between Dutch and Italian supporters during the event.
While Dutch skaters and fans expressed disappointment at missing out on a medal in the 3,000 meter race, the Italian crowd celebrated as Lollobrigida delivered an unexpected victory. She outpaced competitors Ragne Wiklund, Valerie Maltais, and Joy Beune, setting both an Olympic and Italian record. The venue, filled mainly with Dutch and Italian fans, gradually emptied as Dutch supporters left, while Italians stayed behind to applaud and sing their national anthem “Il Canto degli Italiani”.
Italian ice hockey player Thomas Larkin described the gold medal as an inspiration for all Italian athletes. He emphasized how the Olympics foster a sense of unity, celebrating achievements across different sports. Larkin, who will play his first game for Italy shortly, said the success shows what is required to win on the world stage.
Enrico Fabris, an Italian skating legend and two-time Olympic gold medalist, also expressed pride in Lollobrigida’s accomplishment. Fabris noted that even a small group of dedicated skaters can achieve significant success for Italy. His own victories in Turin in 2005 had previously ignited national interest in the sport.
Lollobrigida’s triumph was particularly remarkable because it was not anticipated even by her coach Matteo Anesi. The athlete shared that this season had been the most challenging of her life, including a serious infection that nearly led her to quit. She dedicated the gold medal to her family, teammates, and the national federation who supported her through her difficult recovery.
Fabris and Anesi agreed that the pressure of performing at home in Italy during the Olympics motivated Lollobrigida to deliver her best. The athlete also spoke about the emotional experience of competing with her young son, Tommaso, by her side during media interviews after the race.
Looking ahead, the Italian celebrations may continue as next on the schedule is the 5,000 meter event. Lollobrigida is expected to support her teammates Riccardo Lorello, Michele Malfatti, and Davide Ghiotto from the stands, inspiring the Italian crowd to once again sing their national anthem with enthusiasm.
