Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy triumphed in Olympic speed skating, securing gold in the 3,000 meters. This victory is significant, as it also marks Italy’s first gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan. The event took place on Lollobrigida’s 35th birthday, adding a personal milestone to her achievement.
Lollobrigida’s Historic Win
The reigning world champion over 5,000 meters crossed the finish line in a remarkable time of 6:46.17. She outpaced Dutch skater Merel Conijn by just 0.10 seconds. Norway’s Ragne Wiklund captured the bronze medal, finishing in 6:46.34 at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.
Reflecting on her performance, Lollobrigida expressed her joy, stating, “To repeat myself again with the Olympic title is a dream.” Her prior accomplishment at the World Championships solidified her position as a top contender.
Weidemann’s Performance
Canadian speed skater Isabelle Weidemann finished fifth in the 3,000 meters with a season-best time of 6:50.08. Although she improved her performance from previous competitions, she was unable to reach the podium, falling nearly four seconds shy of bronze.
- Weidemann’s previous Olympic outing in Beijing saw her win silver.
- She finished fifth again in the women’s 3,000 meters after earning bronze in 2022.
Weidemann shared her feelings post-race, acknowledging her disappointment but also reflecting on her journey: “I feel like a very different athlete than four years ago.” Despite her experience, she felt the pressure of expectations.
Other Competitors in the Field
Czech skater Martina Sablikova withdrew from the 3,000 meters due to a viral infection. When she participated, she finished 11th with a time of 7:07.08. Meanwhile, Laura Hall, competing in her first Olympics, placed ninth with a time of 7:02.90. Canadian analyst Anastasia Bucsis praised Hall as a promising talent with a bright future.
Canada’s Medal Pursuit
Overall, the Canadian team is striving for its first gold medal at these Games. After securing three silver and three bronze medals, the anticipation grows for future events. Weidemann is preparing to defend her title in the women’s team pursuit alongside teammates Valérie Maltais and Ivonie Blondin.
- The quarterfinals for the team pursuit are scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.
- Last year, Weidemann and her team set an Olympic record of 2:53.44.
Maltais, who recently won bronze in the women’s 3,000, and Blondin, a decorated veteran, are both eager to add to Canada’s medal tally. With their experience and determination, they aim to deliver impressive performances in the upcoming races.
