Italy nabs first gold medal of Milano Cortina Olympics in speedskating upset

In a stunning upset at the Milano Cortina Olympics, Italian speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida claimed the first gold medal for her country in the 3,000-meter event. The victory came on February 10, 2026, at the newly constructed Olympic Oval in Milan, Italy, where Lollobrigida set a new Olympic record of 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds. This performance shattered the previous record set by Dutch speedskating legend Irene Schouten during the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Lollobrigida's triumph marked a historic moment for Italian winter sports, as the nation had never won a gold medal in speedskating before. The event drew significant attention, with spectators and athletes alike marveling at Lollobrigida's dominant performance. Her victory not only secured Italy's first gold medal of the Games but also highlighted the country's growing prowess in winter sports. The Milano Cortina Olympics have been a platform for emerging talents and underdog stories, and Lollobrigida's achievement is a testament to the spirit of the Games. As the competition continues, all eyes are on Italy to see if more historic moments will unfold.