Italy’s Olympic Surge: A Day of Records and Rising Stars
February 8th, 2026, proved to be a historic day for Italy at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, marked by a flurry of medals and captivating performances. From a bronze medal in team figure skating to thrilling moments in speed skating and alpine skiing, the Italian team delivered a performance that resonated with national pride.
Figure Skating: Team USA Claims Gold, Italy Secures Bronze
The United States secured gold in the team figure skating event, with Ilia Malinin delivering a stunning free skate despite a mid-program stumble. Malinin’s performance narrowly clinched the victory over Japan. Italy, however, also had reason to celebrate, securing a bronze medal in the team event. Matteo Rizzo’s exceptional free skate was instrumental in guaranteeing Italy’s place on the podium.
Speed Skating: Lorello’s Bronze and Lollobrigida’s Continued Success
Riccardo Lorello added to Italy’s medal count with a bronze in the 5000m speed skating event, marking his Olympic debut with a podium finish. This followed Francesca Lollobrigida’s earlier gold medal win in the 3000m, showcasing Italy’s growing strength in the sport. Davide Ghiotto finished fourth in the 5000m, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Alpine Skiing: Goggia’s Bronze and Vonn’s Injury
Sofia Goggia secured a bronze medal in the women’s downhill skiing event, adding to her impressive Olympic record. However, the race was overshadowed by a serious injury to American ski legend Lindsey Vonn, who suffered a fall and was airlifted to a local hospital. The incident caused a significant delay in the competition.
Snowboard: Dalmasso’s Bronze in Parallel Giant Slalom
Lucia Dalmasso claimed a bronze medal in the women’s parallel giant slalom snowboarding event, defeating compatriot Elisa Caffon in a thrilling all-Italian showdown. The Czech Republic’s Zuzana Maderova took gold, and Austria’s Helge Payer secured silver.
Biathlon: Silver for Italy in Mixed Relay
The Italian mixed biathlon team – Tommaso Giacomel, Lukas Hofer, Dorothea Wierer, and Lisa Vittozzi – secured a silver medal in the 4x6km relay, finishing behind France. This added to the growing medal tally for the host nation.
Unexpected Spectator: Novak Djokovic at Figure Skating
The Olympic spirit extended beyond the athletes, with tennis superstar Novak Djokovic spotted in the stands at the figure skating team event. Djokovic, fresh off a final appearance at the Australian Open, was seen enjoying the competition and interacting with the crowd.
Record-Breaking Medal Haul
February 8th witnessed a record-breaking day for Italian winter sports, with the nation securing more than three medals in a single day for the first time in Olympic history. This achievement has ignited national enthusiasm and set a high bar for the remainder of the Games.
FAQ
Q: How many medals has Italy won at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics so far?
A: As of February 8th, Italy has won at least eight medals: one gold, two silvers, and five bronzes.
Q: What happened to Lindsey Vonn during the downhill skiing event?
A: Lindsey Vonn suffered a fall during the downhill skiing event and was airlifted to a hospital for medical attention.
Q: Who won the gold medal in the team figure skating event?
A: The United States won the gold medal in the team figure skating event.
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on Italy’s performance in the upcoming skiathlon and other biathlon events, as they are expected to be strong contenders for more medals.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue to unfold!
