Arianna Fontana Hits 13 Olympic Medals with Silver in 500m

In a electrifying finale at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Italian short track speed skater Arianna Fontana secured her 13th Olympic medal, an silver in the women's 500m event. This achievement catapults her into the pantheon of Italian sports legends, tying her with fencing icon Edoardo Mangiarotti for the most medals won by an Italian athlete at the Games. The 35-year-old from Sondrio delivered a flawless performance, showcasing the resilience and skill that have defined her two-decade career.

The Thrilling Race That Made History

The women's 500m short track final was a high-stakes showdown, blending raw speed with tactical precision on the ice at the Palaonda arena in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Fontana advanced to the final with the second-fastest semifinal time, behind only world record holder Suzanne Velzeboer of the Netherlands. Velzeboer shattered her own record in the semis with a blistering 41.339 seconds, setting the bar impossibly high.

In the final, Velzeboer held her nerve to claim gold, edging out Fontana by a mere 0.2 seconds. The Italian, however, powered through the pack to secure silver, fending off challenges from Canadian Kim Boutin and fellow Dutch skater Larissa van Gennip. Bronz went to Canada's Alyson Charleson Sarault in a photo-finish that had the crowd roaring. Fontana's time of 42.156 seconds was a testament to her veteran savvy, navigating the chaotic turns and potential collisions that define short track racing.

"This medal means everything," Fontana said post-race, her voice steady despite the adrenaline. "Tying Mangiarotti's record is surreal—it's a dream I never thought I'd reach. But it's not just about me; it's for Italy, for everyone who's believed in me." Her words resonated deeply, especially as President Sergio Mattarella watched from the stands, joining thousands in celebrating another chapter in Italy's Olympic saga.

Path to the Podium: Semifinals and Qualifiers

Fontana's journey to the final was marked by composure under pressure. In the quarterfinals, she dominated her heat, clocking a sub-43-second lap that propelled her forward. The semifinals tested her mettle further, as a minor tangle with Boutin nearly derailed her run. Yet, the Italian's quick recovery and explosive final sprint ensured her spot in the big dance. Meanwhile, disappointment struck Italy's men's team, with Pietro Sighel disqualified after a controversial contact in his quarterfinal, ending hopes for a double podium.

Fontana's Storied Olympic Legacy

Arianna Fontana's Olympic odyssey began at the 2006 Torino Games, where as a precocious 15-year-old, she debuted in the relay. Over four Olympic cycles, she has amassed a treasure trove: three golds, five silvers, and now five bronzes, spanning Vancouver 2010 to Milano Cortina 2026. Her versatility shines through—excelling in individual sprints like the 500m and 1000m, as well as team relays.

Highlights include her gold in the 1500m at Sochi 2014, where she outskated the field in dramatic fashion, and a relay bronze in PyeongChang 2018 that capped a gritty comeback from injury. But it's her consistency that sets her apart. In Beijing 2022, Fontana became the first Italian woman to win three medals in a single Games: gold in the 1500m, silver in the mixed relay, and bronze in the 500m. Now, at home soil, her 13th medal cements her as a national treasure.

Comparing her to Mangiarotti, the fencing maestro who retired with 13 medals across five Olympics (six golds, four silvers, three bronzes), underscores Fontana's endurance in a sport as punishing as short track. "Mangiarotti was a fencer; I'm a skater," she quipped in an interview. "But the fire for victory burns the same." Experts hail her as Italy's greatest winter Olympian, surpassing even the feats of alpine stars like Sofia Goggia.

A Banner Day for Italian Winter Sports

Fontana's silver was part of a golden Thursday for Italy at Milano Cortina. Earlier, Federica Brignone stunned the skiing world by clinching gold in the women's superG, her fluid lines down the Stelvio course earning her the moniker "La Tigre." Brignone's victory, her first Olympic superG title, came after Sofia Goggia's early exit, adding emotional weight to the moment.

In speed skating, Francesca Lollobrigida doubled down on glory, defending her 3000m gold with a masterful win in the 5000m. Just 10 months after a severe leg injury, the 33-year-old from Roseto degli Abruzzi powered to victory, her time of 7:01.567 sealing back-to-back triumphs. "This is for my family, for everyone who doubted," Lollobrigida beamed.

The slittino (luge) team added bronze in the mixed relay, with Italy's quartet edging out Latvia in a nail-biter. Skeleton racer Amedeo Bagnis placed fifth after two runs, showing promise for future events. On the men's short track side, the 1000m final delivered drama as Dutch skater Jens van 't Wout snatched gold in a 1:24.537 photo-finish over China's Sun Long, with no Italians advancing.

Broader Impact on Italian Athletics

Italy's medal haul now stands at an impressive 15, with more events on the horizon. The success of Fontana and her peers highlights a renaissance in winter sports, fueled by home advantage and investments in facilities like the Cortina ice rink. Short track, once a niche pursuit, has become a medal factory, thanks to talents like Fontana mentoring the next generation, including her husband, Yuri Confortola, a former skier.

Looking Ahead: Fontana's Future and Olympic Reflections

As the Milano Cortina Games progress, Fontana eyes more hardware in the 1000m and relay events. At 35, retirement whispers grow louder, but her passion suggests one last hurrah. "These Olympics are special—home crowd, family close. If it's my finale, what a way to bow out," she reflected.

Beyond the ice, Fontana's story inspires: a mother, advocate for gender equality in sports, and UNICEF ambassador. Her 13 medals not only rewrite record books but also redefine what's possible for Italian women in winter disciplines. As the tricolore flies high, Arianna Fontana's legacy endures—a blend of grit, grace, and unyielding speed.

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