Switzerland's Von Allmen Claims First Gold of Winter Olympics 2026 as Italy Delivers Double Downhill Medal Glory

Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen delivered a sensational performance to win the Alpine skiing men's downhill title and claim the first gold medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Saturday, February 7. The 24-year-old clocked a stunning time of 1:51.61 down the iconic Stelvio course in Bormio, establishing himself as the youngest Olympic downhill champion since Austria's Matthias Mayer at Sochi 2014. Von Allmen's flawless run on his Olympic debut set the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary Games on Italian snow. Italy delivered a historic moment on home soil as Giovanni Franzoni claimed silver with a time of 1:51.81, just 0.20 seconds behind von Allmen, while veteran Dominik Paris secured bronze in 1:52.11. The double medal haul marked the first time Italy has won two downhill medals at a single edition of the Olympic Winter Games, sending the passionate home crowd into raptures. Franzoni, competing in his Olympic debut, earned an emotional silver medal inspired by the memory of a close friend, while Paris finally captured his first Olympic medal in his fifth Games appearance. The result proved particularly surprising given the pre-race expectations surrounding Swiss star Marco Odermatt, the two-time Crystal Globe winner who entered as the overwhelming favorite. Odermatt could only manage fourth place, finishing 0.70 seconds behind his gold-winning compatriot in a result that shocked the skiing world. Von Allmen's victory demonstrated the unpredictability of Olympic competition and announced his arrival as a major force in Alpine skiing's most prestigious event. The men's downhill served as the opening medal event of Milano Cortina 2026, following Friday's spectacular Opening Ceremony. Saturday's packed schedule featured first medals across five sports including cross-country skiing, speed skating, ski jumping, and snowboarding, but it was the Alpine skiing blue-riband event that captured global attention. The Stelvio course, one of the most challenging and storied venues in World Cup skiing, provided a worthy stage for Olympic glory. Von Allmen's triumph continues Switzerland's proud tradition in Alpine skiing while establishing him as one of the breakout stars of these Games. His aggressive, attacking style down the treacherous Stelvio demonstrated both technical mastery and raw courage, qualities that define Olympic champions. For Italy, the double medal success in front of their home fans provided the perfect start to what they hope will be a medal-rich fortnight across the snow and ice. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics now shifts into full medal-winning mode, with dozens of events scheduled over the coming days across the Italian Alps. Von Allmen's gold medal has set a high bar for athletic excellence, while Italy's double downhill success has energized the host nation and delivered one of the most memorable opening days in Winter Olympic history.