KEY POINTS
- Italy’s most decorated winter athlete, Arianna Fontana, is set to compete in her sixth Olympic Games at Milano Cortina 2026.
- The 35-year-old enters the competition as the record holder for the most Olympic medals in short track speed skating history.
- Fontana recently proved her top form by winning her fifth European 1500m title following a recovery from multiple injuries.
Italy’s most successful Winter Olympian is ready to embrace a final historic challenge on home ice. Arianna Fontana, the legendary short track speed skater, has confirmed her participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. This appearance marks her sixth time competing at the highest level of international sport. For the 35-year-old athlete, the upcoming games represent a full-circle moment in a career that began two decades ago.
Fontana first captured the world’s attention as a 15-year-old prodigy during the 2006 Turin Games. At that time, she became the youngest Italian to ever win a Winter Olympic medal. Since her debut, she has amassed an incredible total of 11 Olympic medals, including two golds. Her consistency and longevity have established her as the most decorated short track skater in Olympic history.
The road to the 2026 Games has not been without significant physical hurdles. Fontana suffered three consecutive injuries during the autumn of 2025, affecting her back, ankle, and quad. However, she silenced any doubts about her fitness earlier this month in the Netherlands. She secured a dominant victory in the 1500m at the European Championships, signaling a return to peak competitive form.
In addition to her role as a top competitor, Fontana will serve as Italy’s official flagbearer. This prestigious honor highlights her status as a national icon and a symbol of Italian sporting excellence. She previously performed this duty during the PyeongChang 2018 Games. Carrying the flag in Milan will be a poignant tribute to her two decades of service to the national team.
The 2026 Games will take place near the Valtellina valley where Fontana originally grew up. This proximity adds a deeply personal layer to her final Olympic run. She expressed excitement about racing in front of her friends, neighbors, and extended family members. Many of her supporters from Italy and North America have already planned trips to witness her final races.
Fontana briefly explored competing in long track speed skating but narrowly missed qualification for that discipline. She now remains fully focused on defending her 500m title on the smaller short track oval. Her experience and tactical brilliance remain her greatest assets against a younger field of international rivals.
As the opening ceremony in Milan approaches, all eyes remain on the athlete nicknamed “The Blonde Angel.” Whether she adds to her record-breaking medal haul or not, her legacy is already secure. Fontana represents a bridge between Italy’s past successes and its future ambitions in winter sports.
