Italy's Blades of Glory: A Lights-Out Performance in Speed Skating
In a stunning display of skill and home-crowd energy, Italy's speed skating trio of Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, and Michele Malfatti delivered a dominant performance to win gold in the men's team pursuit at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The Italian team thrashed the world record-holders and favourites, the United States, by a massive margin of 4.51 seconds, securing Italy's first Olympic title in this event since the Turin Games in 2006.
Roaring Crowd Powers Italian Victory
The Milano Speed Skating Stadium was electric with noise every time an Italian competitor took to the ice. On Tuesday, this raucous support proved pivotal as the home team charged ahead in the closing laps, leaving the American trio of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran in their wake. Giovannini celebrated with Steph Curry's trademark 'night-night' gesture, symbolising a truly lights-out performance that left fans and opponents alike in awe.
The United States had started the final strongly, leading in the early stages before their strategy unravelled. Meanwhile, the Italians, buoyed by frenzied cheering, pumped their fists in triumph at the finish line. On the other side of the track, the silver medallists leaned over, hands on knees, seemingly in disbelief at the upset. This result was particularly shocking given the American team's credentials: they set a world record in Salt Lake City in November and claimed bronze at Beijing 2022.
Sacrifices and Strategies Fall Short for USA
In the buildup to the event, Dawson, Lehman, and Cepuran emphasised their teamwork over individual strength, utilising advanced tools like an app to improve aerodynamics. They prioritised the team pursuit, with Dawson even withdrawing from the 10,000m event last week to focus solely on this race. However, despite their meticulous preparation, the four-year Olympic cycle did not unfold as planned, highlighting the unpredictable nature of elite competition.
Other Olympic Upsets and Weather Delays
Elsewhere at the Games, France pulled off a remarkable comeback in the men's biathlon relay, moving from last place to win their first Olympic gold in the event. Defending champions Norway took silver, while Sweden secured bronze. Éric Perrot, despite missing twice in his final shooting bout, skied relentlessly to lead France to victory over Norway's Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen.
Heavy snowfall in Livigno forced organisers to postpone the women's snowboard slopestyle medal event and the start of freestyle skiing aerials. Safety concerns took precedence as 20cm of fresh snow in 24 hours limited visibility and blocked access roads, with workers using shovels to manage the buildup on courses.
Medal Table Standings and Highlights
As of the latest update, Norway leads the medal table with 14 golds, aiming to match their best haul from Beijing 2022. Germany has moved into the top five after a podium sweep in the two-man men's bobsleigh. Italy's gold in speed skating adds to their impressive tally, solidifying their position among the top nations.
- Norway: 14 gold, 8 silver, 9 bronze – Total: 31
- Italy: 9 gold, 4 silver, 11 bronze – Total: 24
- United States: 6 gold, 10 silver, 5 bronze – Total: 21
- Netherlands: 6 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze – Total: 13
- Germany: 5 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze – Total: 20
In other events, Canada's women's speed skating team, led by Isabelle Weidemann, won gold in the team pursuit, with Weidemann reflecting on their growth from rookies to reigning Olympic champions. The day also featured memorable moments, such as Jürgen Klopp ringing the bell for the final lap in the men's biathlon relay.
Looking ahead, key events include snowboard slopestyle finals, cross-country skiing sprints, and ice hockey quarter-finals, with athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin aiming for redemption in the women's slalom. The Winter Olympics continue to deliver thrilling performances and unexpected outcomes, captivating audiences worldwide.
