On a day that will be etched into Italian sporting history, Francesca Lollobrigida delivered a performance for the ages at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, capturing Italy’s first gold medal of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in the women’s 3,000 meters speed skating event. The 35-year-old, who was celebrating her birthday, electrified the home crowd by not only winning gold but also shattering the Olympic record with a time of 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds—more than two and a half seconds faster than the previous mark.
Lollobrigida’s victory was more than a personal triumph; it was a milestone for Italian women’s speed skating. Never before had a woman from Italy claimed Olympic gold in the sport, making her achievement all the more remarkable. Racing in front of a roaring home crowd, she finished well ahead of Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, who took silver with a time of 3:56.54, and Canada’s Valérie Maltais, who earned bronze in 3:56.93.
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric from the moment Lollobrigida was introduced. Fans rose to their feet, showering her with cheers as she smiled, waved both arms overhead, and then placed her hands over her chest—a gesture of gratitude and disbelief. The support from her countrymen seemed to provide an extra boost, especially as the race unfolded. Paired with Maltais, Lollobrigida trailed at the first checkpoint. But as the laps ticked by, she found another gear, surging forward on the final lap with her arms swinging powerfully behind her, spurred by the deafening cheers echoing through the arena.
“The dream of the dream,” Lollobrigida described her victory to the media. “I really worked hard but not just myself, it’s like teamwork.” Her words reflected both her personal journey and the collective effort behind her success. The path to this golden moment was anything but straightforward. Just weeks before the Games, Lollobrigida had contemplated retirement, grappling with the lingering effects of a viral infection that had sapped her strength and confidence. In a candid Instagram post in late January, she revealed how close she came to stepping away from the sport. But, as she explained, “I really was lost. Even my son that was always smiling, my family, the federation, the coach, gave me power. So don’t give up.”
Lollobrigida’s resilience paid off in spectacular fashion. Her winning time was not only the fastest of the day but also obliterated the Olympic record set by Irene Schouten at the 2022 Beijing Games by more than 2.5 seconds—a staggering margin in elite speed skating. The Italian skater’s journey to the top of the podium was years in the making. This was her fourth Olympic appearance, but her first gold medal. At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, she had already made history by winning Italy’s first women’s speed skating medal with a silver in the 3,000 meters and a bronze in the mass start.
Born and raised in Frascati, a picturesque hill town near Rome famous for its white wine, Lollobrigida carries a legacy that extends beyond the ice. She is the great niece of the late Gina Lollobrigida, the celebrated actress of the 1950s and ‘60s. But on Saturday, it was Francesca who took center stage, writing her own chapter in the annals of Italian culture and sport. Adding to the poignancy of her achievement, Lollobrigida is also a mother to a two-year-old son, balancing the demands of elite sport with family life—a feat she credits as a source of strength during her toughest moments.
As the race concluded, there were still four skaters left to compete. Lollobrigida, nerves on edge, could barely watch. She frequently covered her eyes with her hands, anxiously awaiting the final results. When the last competitor crossed the finish line and her victory was confirmed, the stadium erupted. The Italian skater had not only delivered gold on home ice but had done so in a way that showcased her grit and determination.
The silver medalist, Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, is no stranger to the podium herself. The reigning 3,000 meters world champion, Wiklund claimed her first Olympic medal in Milan. “I’m very relieved,” Wiklund told Olympics.com. “I was really hoping to be able to get a medal in this distance. It means a lot to me, I feel like I have been doing really well the last four years since the last Olympics, and I really felt like I deserved the medal, so I’m super happy.” Her time of 3:56.54 was impressive, but Lollobrigida’s record-breaking pace proved uncatchable.
Canada’s Valérie Maltais rounded out the podium with a time of 3:56.93, earning her third Olympic medal in her fifth appearance at the Games. Maltais, who previously won gold in the team pursuit at Beijing 2022 and a silver in short track at Sochi 2014, spoke about the significance of this individual medal. “Being my fifth Olympics, I went into that quadrennial [knowing] that I wanted to achieve an individual medal,” she told Olympics.com. “Saying it was bold and training to be Olympic champion, and today I delivered a race that I needed to and I think other girls, too, delivered today.”
Lollobrigida’s win has already sent ripples through the Italian sporting community. Her story—marked by perseverance, family support, and a refusal to give up in the face of adversity—has resonated far beyond the rink. Italian fans, many of whom had never seen a homegrown woman atop an Olympic speed skating podium, found themselves swept up in the emotion of the moment. For Lollobrigida, the gold medal was validation for years of hard work, sacrifice, and faith in herself, even when the odds seemed stacked against her.
Saturday’s race was more than just a contest of speed; it was a testament to the power of resilience and the unyielding support of a home crowd. As Lollobrigida stood atop the podium, gold medal around her neck and tears in her eyes, she embodied the spirit of the Games—where dreams, no matter how distant, can come true with heart and determination.
With this historic victory, Francesca Lollobrigida not only claimed her place among Olympic greats but also inspired a new generation of Italian athletes. As the Milan Cortina Games continue, her golden run stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when talent, tenacity, and the roar of a home crowd come together in perfect harmony.