Italy has secured the gold medal in the team pursuit event of long track speed skating at the Winter Olympics, marking their first Olympic title in this discipline since 2006.
Gazzetta, an Italian news outlet, reports on this significant achievement.
Davide Ghiotto, Michele Malfatti, and Andrea Giovannini led Italy to victory in the team pursuit race, triumphing with a time of 3 minutes and 39.20 seconds and finishing 4.51 seconds ahead of the United States. This win represents a notable moment for Italian speed skating, echoing the country’s success twenty years ago during the Turin 2006 Olympics.
The Italian team, coached by national technical director Maurizio Marchetto, demonstrated strong strategy and perseverance throughout the race. After a closely contested start where the United States held a gradual lead, Italy closed the gap steadily and took command in the final stages. Ghiotto set the pace, with Malfatti and Giovannini maintaining the momentum to secure the gold.
The United States, the reigning world champions and record holders in this event, finished second, while Japan claimed the bronze medal after edging out the Netherlands in the competition for third place. This victory adds to Italy’s history in long track speed skating, now totaling five Olympic gold medals, along with one silver and five bronze medals over the past two decades.
The Italian team is notable for combining experience and determination, with the athletes representing Fiamme Gialle, Italy’s law enforcement sports group. Giovannini is also set to compete in the Mass Start event, aiming for further success. The team’s accomplishment contributes to the ongoing achievements of the Italian Winter Olympics delegation at Milano-Cortina 2026.
