OLYMPICS: Short track-Fontana becomes Italy's most decorated Olympian with relay silver

MILAN — Arianna Fontana made history on Wednesday at the Winter Games, becoming Italy’s most decorated Olympian. She led the Italian team to silver in the women’s 3,000 meters short track relay, finishing behind South Korea.

The medal marked the 14th of Fontana’s Olympic career, surpassing the record set by fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, who won 13 medals between 1936 and 1960.

“It’s something incredible. I still haven’t found the right words to describe this moment and everything I’m feeling. I’m trying to take it all in, to stay present, to enjoy this medal with the girls. Maybe tomorrow, when I wake up, it will all really sink in,” Fontana told reporters.

Canada claimed the bronze, while South Korea took the Games’ first short track gold, continuing its legacy as the most successful nation in the discipline.

Prime Minister Meloni Cheers on Italian Team

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the Milano Ice Skating Arena to witness Fontana’s historic achievement.

“She told us she had watched the race and was cheering for us. She was thrilled and gave us so many compliments. We really appreciated it. She was genuinely very happy, and we even felt a bit embarrassed, but it was truly a special moment,” said Elisa Confortola, one of the Italian relay team members.

“Meloni also took a photo with us,” she added.

Fans packed the arena to support the Italian team and celebrate Fontana.

“It was lovely to watch her race after race, always with the same determination, which gives everyone an important lesson, a great source of inspiration,” said fan Sara Digesi.

Race Drama Opens Door for Italy

Italy seized the opportunity for a medal after a Dutch skater fell midway through the race, turning it into a three-team contest.

“I’m sad for them. We tried to stay concentrated, calm and collected. We knew it was going to be chaotic. We took advantage of other skaters’ mistakes and we found our way to the podium,” Fontana said.

At 35, Fontana has now won three medals at the Milano Cortina Games. She made her Olympic debut as a teenager at the Turin Games in 2006, where she earned the first medal of her career in the women’s relay. She also carried the Italian flag at the Opening Ceremony this year at the San Siro Stadium.

Overcoming Challenges

Fontana’s career has not been without controversy. In 2019, she accused two teammates of deliberately causing her to fall during a training session. The skaters were later cleared after a disciplinary process.

She even considered switching allegiance to the U.S. in 2023 after tensions with her national federation.

Earlier this week, Fontana narrowly missed breaking Mangiarotti’s record in the women’s 1,000 meters, finishing fourth after being barged by Chinese rival Gong Li. She described the result as leaving a “bitter taste in her mouth” but remained focused on achieving her 14th medal.

Fontana hails from the small town of Berbenno, about two hours north of Milan, where local bars display photos signed by the Olympian. She is married to her coach, Italian-American former skater Anthony Lobello, and is fluent in English, having trained extensively abroad.

-Additional reporting by Oriana Boselli; editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters