(ATR) Arianna Fontana has proven herself as the world’s most dominant female short track speed skater, amassing eight medals over the previous four Winter Olympics.
Now, the 29-year-old Italian star dreams of witnessing her country hosting a Winter Games in 2026. The ebullient, 5-foot-3-inch (160cm) athlete, nicknamed ‘La Freccia Blonda’ (the Blonde Arrow), will accompany the Milan-Cortina delegation at the IOC session in Lausanne. As she does every time she sets foot on the ice, Fontana will be giving everything that she has to make this dream a reality.
"It’s a real honor for me to help to bring the Olympics back to Italy – it will be like winning another medal if this will happen," Fontana tells Around the Rings.
"I believe in this project and will support it as much as I can.
"I hope that this dream will come true," she added.
Fontana had the privilege to serve as Italy’s flag bearer at the PyeongChang 2018 opening ceremony. Four days later, Fontana finally broke through and won her first Olympic gold medal, adding to two silver and five bronze from previous Games. She crossed the line first in a dramatic photo finish in the 500m event, edging a Chinese opponent. The Italian athlete from Sondrio became the first European short track speed skater to win the individual sprint event at an Olympic Games.
Fontana also has fond memories of her first Olympic experience in Torino 2006, where she won a relay bronze medal as a precocious 15-year-old.
"I remember the opening ceremony, the crowd, all the athletes, my first experience – I was overwhelmed with all of this emotion.
"In my first race, I was so nervous that my legs were shaking," Fontana said. "Then it was all great – when we won the medal in the relay it was the first medal for the Italian women’s team in short track, so it was a big deal.
"I was like the mascot of the team being the youngest one, so my teammates told me I was their lucky charm."
Fontana hopes that she will once again bring the luck for her Italian team – the Milan-Cortina delegation – on Monday, June 24 in Lausanne.
And might an Italian victory, over opponent Sweden for the 2026 Winter Games, extend Fontana’s highly successful short track career?
"I don’t think I will be competing then – my goal right now is to compete in the next Olympics in Beijing," Fontana said. "If we win this bid, I’d like to be involved in the organization and everything to do with short track.
"I’ll be super-happy and excited to help."
The IOC votes for the 2026 Olympic host city at 4pm local time on June 24. The announcement from president Thomas Bach of whether it will be Milan-Cortina or Stockholm-Are is expected about two hours later.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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