Italian speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida delivered a stunning performance to claim gold in the women's 3000m event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, breaking the Olympic record on her 35th birthday. The emotional victory saw her celebrate with her young son Tommaso immediately after securing the top podium position.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Lollobrigida crossed the finish line at the Milano Ice Park in an impressive time of 54.28 seconds, shattering the previous Olympic record set by Irene Schouten in 2022 by two and a half seconds. The home crowd erupted in celebration as the Italian athlete secured her first Olympic gold medal in her fourth Games appearance, having previously won silver at Beijing 2022.
The atmosphere became electric as spectators watched subsequent skaters fail to match Lollobrigida's phenomenal time. Norwegian contender Ragne Wiklund managed to secure silver, while Canadian athlete Valerie Maltais took bronze. The highly-favoured Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud fell short of expectations, unable to challenge the Italian's dominant performance.
Family Celebration on Ice
In a touching moment that captured hearts worldwide, Lollobrigida immediately sought out her two-year-old son Tommaso following her victory. The young child had been brought trackside in anticipation of his mother's potential success, creating a memorable family celebration on Olympic ice.
"This medal means everything," Lollobrigida explained through tears of joy. "It represents perseverance, starting a family, becoming a mother, and returning to competitive racing at the highest level. It demonstrates that you should never give up on your dreams."
Italian Success Across Multiple Disciplines
The opening day of competition proved particularly fruitful for host nation Italy, who celebrated multiple medal successes across different winter sports. Earlier in the day, Italian skiers Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris secured silver and bronze respectively in the men's downhill event, marking a significant achievement for a nation that had won only three medals in this discipline since 1948.
Franzoni's silver medal carried additional emotional weight as he dedicated his performance to close friend and teammate Matteo Franzoso, who tragically died in a training accident last year at age 25. "The energy I've drawn from this tragedy has been immense," Franzoni shared. "I'm proud to have been Matteo's friend, and I know he's watching over us today."
Swiss Triumph in Downhill Skiing
Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics with a spectacular performance in the men's downhill. The reigning world champion finished seven-tenths of a second ahead of favourite Marco Odermatt, who surprisingly left the event empty-handed despite being tipped for gold.
Von Allmen's victory story resonated deeply with spectators, having overcome significant personal challenges including the death of his father when he was just 17. The Swiss skier had to crowdfund to continue his sporting career and worked construction jobs to support himself financially during his early development.
"It feels like something from a movie," Von Allmen reflected. "I knew I had delivered a strong run, but to finish seven-tenths ahead of Marco surprised even me. This represents years of dedication and sacrifice."
Scandinavian Rivalry Intensifies
In cross-country skiing, Sweden delivered an early blow to traditional rivals Norway in the women's 10km+10km skiathlon. Swedish athletes Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson secured gold and silver respectively, breaking away from Norwegian contenders during the transition from classic to freestyle technique.
This victory marked an important psychological advantage for Sweden in a rivalry that spans most Winter Olympic disciplines. Norway's Heidi Weng managed to secure bronze, earning her first Olympic medal since 2014 despite strong competition from her compatriots.
Medal Table Standings
After the first day of competition, Italy shares top position in the medal table with Japan, both nations having secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Norway follows closely with three total medals, while Sweden sits in fourth position with two medals overall.
The early success for host nation Italy has generated tremendous excitement among local spectators and created positive momentum for the Games. With numerous events still to come across multiple venues, the competition promises to deliver further dramatic moments and outstanding athletic performances.
Looking Ahead to Day Two
Sunday's schedule features several highlight events including women's downhill alpine skiing, where American veteran Lindsey Vonn continues her remarkable comeback at age 41 despite a ruptured ACL. The men's cross-country skiathlon will see Norwegian athlete Johannes Høsflot Klæbo begin his ambitious pursuit of six gold medals during these Games.
Other notable competitions include speed skating's men's 5,000m event, biathlon mixed relays, and the conclusion of figure skating's team event. Great Britain's curling team will aim to maintain their perfect record in mixed doubles competition following impressive victories against Canada and the United States on Saturday.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue to unfold, athletes from around the world will strive for podium positions while creating memorable moments that will be celebrated for years to come.
