MILAN, Italy – The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina continued to deliver thrilling competition on Wednesday, February 20th, with Italy maintaining its strong position atop the medal table. Francesca Lollobrigida and the Italian short track team highlighted the day’s events, fueling national pride and excitement.
Lollobrigida, already a gold medalist in the 3000m and 5000m speed skating events, competed in the 1500m final, seeking another podium finish. The race, which began at 16:32 local time, saw the Roman skater positioned in the ninth slot among fifteen competitors, alongside Japan’s Ayano Sato. The outcome of the 1500m was not immediately available at the time of this report.
Also on the speed skating oval, Arianna Fontana, alongside teammates Elisa Confortola and Arianna Sighel, were slated to compete in the women’s 1500m, with the final scheduled for 22:07. The Italian team hoped to build on the momentum generated by Lollobrigida’s earlier successes.
Perhaps the most anticipated event for the host nation was the men’s 5000m short track relay. The Italian team, comprised of Andrea Cassinelli, Thomas Nadalini, Lorenzo Previtali, Pietro Sighel, and Luca Spechenhauser, aimed to challenge Canada, Korea, and the Netherlands for gold. The final was set for 21:30, promising a high-octane finish to the evening’s events.
Earlier in the day, the biathlon arena witnessed a dominant performance from Norway in the men’s 15km mass start. Johannes Dale-Skjevdal secured the gold medal with a time of 39’17″1, achieving a perfect 20/20 in shooting. Compatriot Sturla Holm Laegreid claimed silver (+10.5 seconds), while France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet rounded out the podium in bronze (+25.6 seconds). Italian competitor Tommaso Giacomel unfortunately had to withdraw mid-race due to an unspecified physical issue, a disappointing turn of events after a strong start. Lukas Hofer finished 25th (+4’52”), and Giovanni Romanin placed 28th (+5’56”).
In freestyle skiing, Xindi Wang of China took gold in the aerials event held in Livigno. Switzerland’s Noe Roth secured the silver medal, and Wang’s compatriot, Tianma Li, earned the bronze.
The ski cross competition saw Germany’s Daniela Maier claim the gold medal, followed by Switzerland’s Fanny Smith in silver and Sweden’s Sandra Noeslund in bronze. Italian Jole Galli narrowly missed the final, finishing third in her semifinal heat. Andrea Chesi was eliminated in the eighth finals.
Away from the competition venues, discussions continued regarding the participation of Russian athletes in the upcoming Paralympic Games. The Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP) reaffirmed its position supporting the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under a neutral flag, without national anthems or symbols. This stance aligns with previous decisions made by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and aims to uphold the principle of athletic participation while respecting international guidelines.
The decision by the IPC has sparked controversy, leading to a boycott of the opening ceremony by the Ukrainian Paralympic team. The Ukrainian Paralympic Committee announced its decision to protest the inclusion of Russian athletes, arguing that it undermines the principles of fair play and solidarity. Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, announced his intention to attend the opening ceremony despite the boycott, emphasizing the importance of sport as a unifying force and expressing hope for a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the Games on Sunday, February 22nd, at the Arena di Verona, signaling the nation’s continued commitment to the success of the event.
A concerning incident occurred during the qualification round of the halfpipe skiing event in Livigno. New Zealand’s Finley Melville Ives suffered a serious fall and required immediate medical attention. The competition was temporarily halted to allow for his safe evacuation. Details regarding the extent of his injuries were not immediately available.
The day also saw Maurizio Marchetto, the coach of Italy’s successful speed skating team, reflect on the nation’s achievements in the sport, highlighting the importance of investment in infrastructure and training facilities.
