Italy has whipped their home fans into a frenzy with an incredible start to the Winter Olympics, winning the most medals of any nation across the first two days of official competition. And on Sunday they achieved a feat never seen before in 102 years of Winter Olympics history.
The host nation picked up a total of six medals on Sunday – the most Italy has ever won in a single day of competition at the Winter Olympics. Dating back to 1924 when the Winter Games were first held, Italy had never won more than three medals on one day.
Lucia Dalmasso (centre) and the Italian figure skaters (left and right) won two of the six medals on the day. Image: Getty
But they smashed that record on Sunday with a whopping six – one silver and five bronze. Ski star Sofia Goggia won bronze medal in the women’s downhill – a dramatic event marred by Lindsey Vonn breaking her leg and needing to be airlifted to hospital.
Lucia Dalmasso was also third in the snowboarding parallel giant slalom, while Riccardo Lorello claimed bronze in the men’s speed-skating 5000 metres. The Italian team then won silver in the mixed relay biathlon race, before Dominik Fischnaller won bronze in men’s singles luge and Italy took bronze in the figure skating team event.
Sofia Goggia won bronze in the women’s downhill.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
After the fourth medal of the day, the official X account of the Milano Cortina Games proclaimed it the best day in Winter Olympics history for Italy. They then had to update when it ended up being six medals.
Tears flowed amongst fans and the athletes as Italy made incredible history at their home Olympics. “Competing at home is definitely something unique. The fans did their part,” Lorello said after his bronze.
“I’m very happy to have put the cherry on top tonight. And I’m proud of all of my Italian teammates in the other sports.”
Italy on track for best ever Winter Olympics
After two days of official competition, Italy secured nine medals. It was headlined by speed-skater Francesca Lollobrigida celebrating her 35th birthday with gold in the 3000 metres. It was Italy’s first gold in women’s speed-skating at any Winter Games.
It means the Azzurri are already almost halfway to their best ever tally at a Winter Games – 20 medals at Lillehammer in 1994. Italy won 11 medals the last time they hosted the Games – in Turin in 2006.
They claimed 17 in Beijing four years ago. Italian Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio had stated before the Games that Italy was aiming for a minimum of 19 medals.