Italy's Fontana Makes History with 12th Olympic Medal as Azzurri Claim Short Track Mixed Relay Gold

Arianna Fontana cemented her legacy as the greatest short track speed skater in Olympic history on Tuesday night, winning her 12th career Olympic medal as Italy captured gold in the mixed team relay at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. The home crowd erupted as Fontana and her teammates crossed the finish line in 2:39.019, claiming Italy's first gold medal in the event and delivering a perfect performance on home ice at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Italian quartet, featuring Fontana alongside three teammates, executed a flawless race strategy to hold off a determined challenge from Canada. The Canadian team of William Dandjinou, Courtney Sarault, Felix Roussel, and Kim Boutin finished just 0.239 seconds behind in 2:39.258 to claim the silver medal. Belgium rounded out the podium with bronze in 2:39.353, while China finished fourth in 2:39.601 after leading for portions of the race.

Fontana's 12th Olympic medal—her third gold—breaks the previous record for most medals won by any short track speed skater in Olympic history. The 35-year-old veteran has competed in five Olympic Games, collecting medals at every single one since making her debut as a teenager. Her consistency and longevity at the highest level of the sport is unprecedented, and Tuesday's victory on Italian soil provides a storybook moment in what may be her final Olympic appearance.

For Canada, the silver medal represents their first Olympic medal in the mixed relay, an event that was only added to the Olympic program at Beijing 2022 four years ago. The Canadian quartet demonstrated exceptional speed and tactical awareness throughout the race, pushing Italy all the way to the finish line. Their performance continues Canada's strong tradition in short track speed skating and provides momentum heading into the individual events later in the Games.

The race itself was a tactical masterpiece, with lead changes occurring throughout the eight-lap final. Italy's strategy of using Fontana's experience at crucial moments proved decisive, as she delivered when it mattered most in front of the passionate home crowd. The roar inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena when Italy crossed the finish line was deafening, reflecting the significance of the victory for the host nation and the sport in Italy.

China's fourth-place finish was disappointing for a nation with a proud short track tradition, but they remained in contention until the final laps. Belgium's bronze medal represents a breakthrough for their program and highlights the growing global competitiveness in short track speed skating. The mixed relay format has proven to be one of the most exciting additions to the Olympic program, combining strategy, speed, and teamwork in a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences worldwide.