The most successful short-track speed skater Arianna Fontana has threatened not to take part in her home games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026 if her problems with the Italian short-track federation are not resolved.
The 31-year-old Italian, who made her Olympic debut in Turin 2006, has won 10 Olympic medals after defending her 500m title yesterday. However, she is training in Hungary after a dispute with the Italian national federation, which opposes her choice of husband Anthony Lobello as a coach.
“To be at the Milano Cortina 2026 as an athlete, some things need to change. I will not put myself, my coach, my family in situations we have been in so far”, said Arianna Fontana. I did it years ago, wanting Anthony as my coach. Last night was proof that the choice was the right one, the best”, added she.
After Monday’s victory, Arianna Fontana said she did not feel safe in Italy, so the scream she made in the 500m final was to vent her anger.
“There were people against me and my coach who were trying to stop us from coming here, they were finding ways to hurt us”, said Arianna Fontana at a news conference. “They tried to attack me every time they had a chance, so it was not safe for me to stay with the team”, added she.
Arianna Fontana did not name any of the alleged aggressors, and neither she nor her husband could be reached for further comment.
The Italian Olympic Committee congratulated her on her victory, but the headquarters told that neither they nor the skating federation would comment on the allegations of ill-treatment.
Arianna Fontana, who equaled former skier Stefania Belmondo as the Italian athlete with the most medals from the Winter Olympics, has a chance to add to her collection in Beijing. She will participate in the women’s 1,000m, the women’s 1,500m, and the women’s 3,000m relay.
“Arianna, you entered the history! You excite me! What suffering! I watched this final from my room, holding my breath, unable to be there, to be by your side, to rejoice and celebrate with you”, said the President of the Italian Olympic Committee Giovanni Malago, quarantined in Beijing over COVID-19. “The Italian Olympic Committee will always be on your side. Congratulations to Anthony and the federation for what they have done during these four years of hard work. Arianna, you are the greatest at all times!”, added he.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s office also congratulated her, calling her a “legend of Italian and world sport”.
