What a birthday for Francesca Lollobrigida! On her 35th birthday, this speed skater made history by setting a new Olympic record at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. She skated the 3,000 meters in an impressive 3 minutes and 54.28 seconds, beating the previous record held by Irene Schouten from the 2022 Beijing Games by more than two and a half seconds.
Lollobrigida’s victory was particularly noteworthy as she finished about two seconds ahead of Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, who took silver, with Canada’s Valerie Maltais claiming bronze. This marked a rare moment in Olympic history as it was the first time since 2010 that the Netherlands did not make it onto the podium in this event.
A heartwarming moment unfolded when Lollobrigida shared her victory with her young son, Tommaso, who cheered from the stands. This was her fourth Olympics, and after previously winning silver and bronze, she finally snagged that coveted gold medal.
The 2026 Winter Olympics have already seen some surprises. Initially, Team USA was not expected to have a competitor in the 3,000-meter race. However, due to Czech skater Martina Sablikova’s withdrawal, 21-year-old American Greta Myers got a chance. Although Myers finished in 20th place, her participation was a win in itself.
As of now, Italy is leading the medal count with three medals, while Sweden and Norway have two each, and Canada and Switzerland have one. Team USA is still hopeful for its first medal as the games progress.
This moment for Lollobrigida reflects the competitive spirit of the Winter Olympics, where athletes push their limits. According to the International Olympic Committee, these games have always been about resilience and passion, showcasing not just individual talent but also the thrill of shared experiences among families and nations.
For more on Olympic records and athlete performances, you can check the latest updates from [Olympic.org](https://www.olympic.org).
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Olympics,Sports,italy,speed skating,winter olympics,Winter Olympics 2026
