From the silver of Beijing 2022 to the fantastic, moving gold of Milano Cortina 2026. Four years have passed, in between motherhood (Tommaso was born in 2023), many sacrifices, a home-made staff, from her husband Matteo to her sister Giulia (also a skater), and Francesca Lollobrigida is the Olympic champion of the 3000 meters of speed skating, a distance which in the past was a land of conquest for the Germans and Dutch.
A special triple day
Today for “Lollo”, as she is nicknamed, is a triple special day: Olympic gold, 35th birthday, triumph in Italy in front of her family. A triumph in front of the whole of Italy, at the Fiera Milano Rho ice rink and on television. Francesca won, setting the Olympic record of 3.54.28. Lollobrigida is also the Italian record holder in the 5000 meters with 6.51.07. Born on 7 February 1991 in Frascati, bearer of the Air Force, in her third Olympic participation, Francesca won a gold that Italy has only won in men’s speed skating, with Enrico Fabris (yesterday the penultimate torchbearer in the journey of the Olympic flame) in the 1500 meters and in the team pursuit in Turin 2006.
Great-granddaughter of movie star Gina – she never met her -, Francesca inherited her passion for skating (initially roller skating, thanks to which she secured nine world titles) from her father Maurizio (her mother’s name is Sondra), her technical point of reference as well as multiple medalist and record holder over 50 kilometres. A question of chromosomes: he puts on skates for the first time at just 14 months.
He moved to the ice after Turin 2006, precisely to chase that dream of participating in the Games. Silver and bronze respectively in the 3000 meters and in the mass start in Beijing 2022, in his showcase (among other things) there is also room for a world gold (5000 meters in Hamar 2025) and for the one signed in the mass start of the European Championships in Kolomna in 2018. Also included is the master’s degree in Sports Science. Among his passions are tennis, swimming, dancing and cycling, the latter sport being fundamental in summer preparation but also during the winter for speed skating.