Introduction

The 2026 Winter Olympics have kicked off to an exhilarating start in Milan Cortina, Italy, where the host nation secured its first medals in spectacular fashion. On the opening day of medal events, Francesca Lollobrigida captured the first gold medal for Italy in the women's 3000-meter speed skating event, marking a historic victory on her 35th birthday. Meanwhile, the men's downhill saw both Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris clinch silver and bronze medals, contributing to Italy's impressive haul.

A Golden Moment for Francesca Lollobrigida

Francesca Lollobrigida's performance in the women's 3000 meters was nothing short of breathtaking. Setting an Olympic record with a time of 3:54.28, Lollobrigida not only earned her place in history as the first Italian woman to secure a gold medal in speed skating, but also celebrated her birthday in the best way possible. Remarkably, she had earned silver in the same event at the previous Winter Olympics, showcasing her determination and growth as an athlete.

Crossing the finish line with a substantial lead, Lollobrigida's triumph stood as an inspirational moment for the Italian contingent, who were eager to leave a mark on their home turf. The race featured tough competition, with Norway’s Ragne Wiklund finishing in silver position at 3:56.54, and Valerie Maltais from Canada rounding out the podium in bronze with a time of 3:56.93. In a surprising twist, the usually dominant Netherlands team in speed skating struggled, with only one competitor finishing in the top five.

Men's Downhill: A Swiss Victory

In the men's downhill event, it was Franjo van Allmen of Switzerland who etched his name into the record books as the first gold medalist of the Milan Cortina Games. Van Allmen finished the course in an impressive 1:51.61, demonstrating his mastery of the challenging terrain and setting a benchmark for his competitors. With this victory, he became the second consecutive Swiss athlete to win the downhill event, further solidifying Switzerland's strong legacy in this discipline.

Italy's Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris completed the podium with silver and bronze medals, respectively. Franzoni's time of 1:51.81 and Paris’s 1:52.11 marked an excellent start for the Italian team, capturing their first medals at the home Olympics. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Italy had only secured three men's downhill medals since the event was introduced in 1948, making this performance a proud milestone for the country.

Sweden Dominates in Women's Skiathlon

Sweden brought excitement to the women’s cross-country skiathlon, where Frida Karlsson showcased her incredible endurance and speed. Leading the pack from the start, Karlsson secured the first women's gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games with a robust finishing time of 53:45.2. Her compatriot, Ebba Andersson, joined her on the podium by finishing second, further highlighting Sweden’s dominance on the Olympic stage.

The race kicked off with a 10-kilometer classical section, where multiple athletes pushed to the front. However, it was during the second half of the race that Karlsson distanced herself from the competition and claimed victory. Heidi Weng of Norway made sure her nation was not left without a medal, as she finished third with a time of 55:11.9, marking Norway's first medal in these Games.

Medal Table Overview

Following the initial round of events, the medal tally reflects an exciting start to these Winter Olympics:

• 1. Italy: 3 total medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
• 2. Sweden: 2 total medals (1 gold, 1 silver)
• 3. Switzerland: 1 total medal (1 gold)
• 4. Norway: 2 total medals (1 silver, 1 bronze)
• 5. Canada: 1 total medal (1 bronze)

This diverse medal distribution highlights the competitive spirit of the games, where traditional powerhouses and newer forces are vying for supremacy.

Conclusion

As the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics unfold, Italy's remarkable start serves as an encouraging sign for the host nation, enabling them to embrace the support of passionate fans and create unforgettable moments. With Francesca Lollobrigida’s historic win and medals in men's downhill, Italy has set a compelling tone for the events to come. Meanwhile, the performances from Sweden and Switzerland indicate that fierce competition lies ahead, promising an exciting Olympic journey filled with drama and thrilling displays of athleticism.