Italian Speedskater Lollobrigida Clinches Gold at 35th Birthday Celebration

Francesca Lollobrigida celebrated her 35th birthday in style, winning gold in the women’s 3000m speed skating event. The Italian athlete achieved this historic win at the 2026 Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina. In doing so, Lollobrigida not only secured gold for Team Italy but also set an Olympic record.

Historic Olympic Victory

Lollobrigida finished the race with an impressive time of 3:54.28, defeating Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, who took silver, and Canada’s Valerie Maltais, who earned bronze. Lollobrigida’s performance was remarkable, as she surpassed the previous Olympic record set by Dutch skater Irene Schouten at 3:56.93 during the 2022 Beijing Games.

A Memorable Race

• Lollobrigida was trailing for most of the race.
• She overtook her competitor in the final moments.
• Her young son, Tommaso, watched from the sidelines.

“It was a perfect day,” Lollobrigida said emotionally after the race. She expressed gratitude for having her family present and described competing in her homeland as a dream come true. This gold medal marks a significant milestone as Lollobrigida becomes the first Italian woman to win gold in speed skating and the first Italian athlete to secure gold in the 2026 Winter Games.

Career Highlights

Prior to this Olympic achievement, Lollobrigida had already claimed silver and bronze medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics. After taking a break from the sport to become a mother, she contemplated retirement but decided to return for these Games.

During the medal ceremony, Lollobrigida, with tears in her eyes, stood proudly as the Italian national anthem played. The victory marks a significant upset, especially with the Dutch team, which had dominated previous events, falling short of the podium for the first time in 16 years.

National Celebration

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated Lollobrigida in a post on X, highlighting her achievement as a symbol of Italian pride and talent. “Congratulations to Francesca Lollobrigida for her extraordinary Olympic gold,” she wrote, celebrating the athlete’s remarkable journey.

Family Legacy

Lollobrigida belongs to a family with notable public figures, including her great aunt, Hollywood icon Gina Lollobrigida, and her father, Maurizio Lollobrigida, who was also a skater. Initially an inline skater, she shifted to speed skating inspired by U.S. Olympian Chad Hendrick’s success in the sport.

Francesca Lollobrigida’s gold medal at her 35th birthday not only cements her legacy as an athlete but also inspires future generations of skaters. Her story exemplifies determination, talent, and the power of believing in oneself.