Francesca Lollobrigida, 35, delivered another gold for host Italy, edging the women’s 5,000 meters by 0.1 seconds to become a two-time champion at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Lollobrigida won Friday at the Milan Ice Skating Arena, finishing in 6:46.17.
Skating in the final pairing against veteran Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic, Lollobrigida surged late despite fading legs, closing her last lap in 31.86 seconds.
She caught and passed Merel Conijn of the Netherlands, who finished in 6:46.27, to take the gold in a dramatic finish.
It was the first time an Italian has won Olympic gold in the women’s 5,000. With Lollobrigida, who has returned to competition after giving birth, Italy now have six gold medals, closing on overall leader Norway with seven.
Lollobrigida is also entered in the remaining women’s mass start, where she will try for a third gold of the Games.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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