Italy won its third gold medal of the 2026 Olympics in speed skating, winning the men's team pursuit in a dramatic final against the United States.
The Americans entered the competition as favorites: they were the reigning world champions and world record holders. However, in the quarterfinals, Italy became the only team to beat them on home ice in Milan.
The teams met again in the final for the “gold”. And if in the 1/4th the Italians' advantage at the finish was 0.97 seconds, in the main confrontation it increased to 4.51 seconds!
The Italians took the lead at the 11th checkpoint, after 2:31.23 minutes on the course. And the hosts of the competition began to celebrate the victory at the finish line to the ovations of the home crowd.
The debut medal was for 32-year-old Italian skater Andrea Giovannini, who celebrated his victory in the characteristic style of another Olympic champion, American basketball player Stephen Curry, by showing a “good night” gesture.
“I did it because I didn't speak in the first two weeks,” Andrea told Reuters about the celebration. “I saw that the partners were getting results. And I couldn't wait for my moment.”
The Curry-style celebration is a reference to the 2024 Olympic men's basketball final between France and the United States, when the star guard hit the decisive three-pointer to win.
Stephen Curry after the game-winning shot in the basketball final of the 2024 Olympics. AP/Mark J. Terrill
“I watched the Paris 2024 final when he handled a lot of pressure. When he closed the game with a three-pointer and said 'good night'. I said [to my partner], 'If I do well, I'd like to celebrate the same way if we win.' Precisely because of what that gesture means in terms of handling pressure.”
The silver medalists from the United States also commented on the episode. According to Emery Lehman, he did not see the moment itself.
“It's better than when the Russians show you two middle fingers,” Lehmann recalled the semifinals of the 2022 Olympic Games.
Italy's team pursuit victory has put them in the top spot in the 2026 Olympic speed skating medal tally with three gold medals. Francesca Lollobrigida added two more individual victories among women.
Before the end of the Games, four sets of awards remain to be won among speed skaters: in the men's and women's mass starts and at a distance of 1,500 meters.