Italy’s Olympic Hopes Soar: Moioli’s Bronze, Ghiotto’s Speed and Curling Success
Italy is striving to surpass its 20-medal haul from the 1994 Lillehammer Games at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. The first medal of the day arrived courtesy of Michela Moioli, securing a bronze in the snowboard cross. Further hopes rest on the speed skating arena with Davide Ghiotto and Riccardo Lorello competing in the 10,000 meters, and the biathlon 10km sprint featuring Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Nicola Romanin, and Elia Zeni.
Moioli’s Remarkable Comeback
Michela Moioli’s bronze medal is a testament to her resilience. She overcame a frightening fall in training just days before the competition. “When I was flown by helicopter to Sondalo, I thought my Games were over because I was pretty dazed from the fall,” Moioli shared. “I didn’t think clearly, but I didn’t understand anything. Yesterday, during the men’s competition, I spent the whole day on the couch, feeling terrible. I told myself, ‘How am I going to do this tomorrow?’ But I have a remarkable ability to recover.”
Speed Skating: Lorello Sets the Pace
The men’s 10,000-meter speed skating final has begun, with Riccardo Lorello leading the charge. Lorello, already a bronze medalist in the 5,000 meters, clocked a time of 12:56.22, setting the initial benchmark. All eyes are now on Lorello and Davide Ghiotto as they pursue a podium finish.
Biathlon Disappointment, France Claims Gold
The 10km sprint in biathlon saw a challenging day for the Italian team. Tommaso Giacomel finished 22nd, 1 minute and 43 seconds behind the gold medalist, Quentin Fillon Maillet of France. Hofer finished 13th, Romanin 16th, and Zeni placed outside the top 50. France continues to dominate the biathlon events, securing its third gold in four races.
Curling Team Continues Winning Streak
The Italian men’s curling team, led by Joël Retornaz, secured their second victory, defeating Great Britain 9-7. This marks the first time Italy has started an Olympic curling tournament with two consecutive wins.
Rebecca Passler Cleared to Compete
Good news for the Italian biathlon team: Rebecca Passler’s appeal against a doping suspension has been accepted. The National Anti-Doping Court of Italy (Nadab) recognized the possibility of unintentional ingestion or contamination. Passler will join her teammates on Monday, February 16th, and may compete in upcoming events.
Did you realize?
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway won the 10km ski race, achieving his eighth Olympic medal overall.
FAQ
- What medal did Michela Moioli win? Bronze in the snowboard cross.
- Who are the Italian speed skaters competing in the 10,000m? Davide Ghiotto and Riccardo Lorello.
- What was the outcome of the biathlon 10km sprint? Quentin Fillon Maillet of France won gold.
- Has Rebecca Passler been cleared to compete? Yes, her doping suspension has been lifted.
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on the Italian curling team – they’ve started the tournament strong and could be contenders for a medal!
Stay tuned for further updates as the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue!
