The great-granddaughter of the famous Italian actress, the first gold medal for her country at the edition of the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina

The host country of the 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, did not have to wait long to reach the first step of the podium. Francesca Lollobrigida celebrated his birthday by bringing Italy its first gold medal after winning the 3000m event with a new Olympic record.

It was the perfect day for the great-granddaughter of the famous actress Gina Lollobrigidagone from us in January 2023, at the age of 95. She had the perfect anniversary, with Olympic gold in her fourth participation in the biggest multisport competition on the planet, breaking the supremacy of three editions in a row of the Dutch women in the distance of 3,000 m.

4 years ago, in Beijing, she had to stay on the silver step of the podium in that event, winning bronze in the collective start. Now, with a lot of pressure on her shoulders, but also with enough experience, Francesca rounded off the expectations.

Italy had not won an Olympic speed skating title for 20 years, since Enrico Fabri's gold at Turin 2006, another milestone overturned by Lollobrigida, who celebrated the triumph with her son Tommasso, born in May 2023.

Francesca Lollobrigida, slowed by a viral infection

The road to gold that had eluded her in previous Olympic appearances seemed to be deadlocked when she was faced with a severe medical problem. “This year, a viral infection knocked me down during the most important months. My body was unresponsive, my head was spinning and my Olympic dream seemed to be slipping away. I was scared, I was crying, I was thinking of giving up. I had forgotten why I skate. Then I remembered something simple but essential: I skate because I love skating“, Francesca wrote on Instagram, reassuring her fans.

Francesca Lollobrigida in the Olympic competition in Milan Cortina Photo: Guliver/GettyImages

Unlike the previous editions of the OJ in which she participated, she approached the one in Milan Cortina with a different personal experience behind her. She became a mother and that forced her to manage her body and time differently, notes Gazzetta dello Sport. He entered a stage of deep reconstruction, physically and mentally.

In the autumn of the year in which he gave birth to Tommasso, he already returned to competitions, but in a gradual form. He followed his physical cues and waited for the right moment. And the results were seen in another important competition, in March 2025, when she became the first Italian skater to become world champion in the 5,000 m event.

Francesca Lollobrigida, with Tommasso in her arms

After securing gold at the Milano Speed ​​Skating Stadium, the first thought was to find little Tommasso, two years and 9 months old. “I wanted to go straight to him, but they couldn't let me just then, they couldn't bring him to me on the ice“, she laughed later.

Her sister, very determined, but also fast, was running with the little one in her arms, trying to bring him to Francesca. In the end, the child arrived where the mother wanted, by her side. Immense happiness!

The games are in Italy, my family is here and I didn't have to choose between skating and being a mother. I came back after giving birth and I'm proud of it – Francesca Lollobrigida

Looking back at the obstacles she has faced recently, she has kept her composure and poise. “I am realistic. With the season I had, I thought I would fight for bronze“, she confessed, quoted by the Olympics. “I kept smiling though and gave it my all. The Italians shouted “Lo, lo! Lo, lo!' and I felt stronger in my mind and heart. That gave me a lot of strength“, he explained.

“It's the best day of my life“, he said in conclusion, in the mixed zone, with Tommasso resting on his hip. And with the gold medal around his neck. Perfect!