Italy secured its first gold medal in speed skating at the Winter Olympics held in Milan, an achievement that has strongly encouraged the Italian team.
According to NPO Radio 1, former speed skater Marrit Leenstra, who regularly communicates from Italy during the Games, shared her thoughts on the significance of Francesca Lollobrigida’s victory. Leenstra, who is married to Italian coach Matteo Anesi and has teamed with Lollobrigida in the past, described the gold medal as a surprising and important accomplishment for the Italian team.
Leenstra noted the heightened enthusiasm and pride surrounding the medal, saying that the sport, though relatively small in Italy, received a strong embrace from the public. She compared the current atmosphere to the surge of interest following Enrico Fabris’s gold in 2006, predicting that Lollobrigida’s success will similarly inspire the nation and her teammates.
Looking ahead, Leenstra pointed out the upcoming 5,000-meter event where Italian skater Davide Ghiotto is considered a contender, although not the favorite. She expressed hope that Ghiotto could also exceed expectations, drawing a parallel to how Lollobrigida’s victory came as a surprise.
The 5,000-meter race is scheduled for 16:00 local time and was broadcast live on NPO Radio 1’s RadiOlympia program, which provides ongoing coverage and analysis of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
