Speedskater sets Olympic record in 3000m, delivers Italy’s first gold at Milano Cortina
Francesca Lollobrigida won Italy’s first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics on Saturday, blazing through the women’s speed skating 3000-meter race in Olympic record time on her 35th birthday. The Italian skater finished in 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds, shattering the previous Olympic benchmark set four years earlier by Dutch legend Irene Schouten.
Racing before a roaring home crowd in Milan, Lollobrigida surged during the final lap to overtake Canada’s Valerie Maltais and secure the top spot on the podium. Norway’s Ragne Wiklund claimed the silver medal, finishing 2.26 seconds behind Lollobrigida, while Maltais rounded out the podium in third.
Breaking Records and Ending Streaks
Lollobrigida’s winning time erased Schouten’s previous Olympic record of 3:56.93 from the Beijing 2022 Games by more than two-and-a-half seconds. The victory marked a historic upset, ending the Netherlands’ medal dominance in the women’s 3000m at the Olympics—a streak dating back to the 2010 Vancouver Games. Dutch speedskater Joy Beune, the reigning world champion in the 3000m distance, finished fourth and off the podium for the first time since 2010 in this event.
A Breakthrough Moment
The gold represents Lollobrigida’s first Olympic victory after three previous Games appearances. At Beijing 2022, she earned a silver medal in the 3000m and a bronze in the mass start event. Her triumph on her birthday marks a career milestone for the mother of a 2-year-old son, who demonstrated composure throughout the race despite the pressure of competing on home ice.
Lollobrigida hails from Frascati, a picturesque hill town outside Rome known for its white wine. Her great aunt was Gina Lollobrigida, a celebrated actress of the 1950s and 1960s who achieved international stardom.
Resilience Amid Adversity
The victory follows a challenging year for the Italian speedskater. In 2025, she battled a viral infection that forced her to consider stepping away from competitive racing. Her remarkable comeback and dominant performance at Milano Cortina underscore her determination and athletic prowess on the world stage.
Supporting Cast
In a notable roster change, American speedskater Greta Myers, just 21 years old, competed as a last-minute replacement following Czech skater Martina Sablikova’s withdrawal. Myers did not initially qualify for the event but earned the first reserve quota spot based on her performances during the 2025-26 World Cup circuit. She finished in 20th place.
Speed skating competition continues Sunday, February 8, with the men’s 5000-meter race scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST.
