Feb 08, 2026
3 min read
On his 35th birthday, Lollobrigida set an Olympic record for winning gold, organizing a wild celebration with his team and his son Tommaso.
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MILAN — Italian long track speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida has it all: fans, people with green, white and red flags wrapped around her back and her 2-year-old son Tommaso on her hip.
"I think it's a perfect day," said Lollobrigida, who celebrated her 35th birthday by winning the host nation's first gold medal of the Games on Saturday in a thrilling women's 3,000m race."Unbelievable, the dream of my dreams."
One night removed from the official start of the Olympics, Llobergada stole the show on the first day, setting an Olympic record time of 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of silver medalist Ragne Wiklund of Norway (3:56.54) for his first career gold medal.Valerie Maltais of Canada won the bronze (3:56.93).
"It's not that easy to combine being a surfer and a mother," said Lollobrigida, who estimated that she traveled about 250 days a year.
Lollobrigida skated the pair from third to last as the mostly Italian crowd stood and roared for their home star as he stayed ahead of the Olympic record pace before crossing the finish line.After winning and setting the record, he ran through the tunnel to catch Tommaso in a scene that instantly went viral.The flag still hung over his shoulder.Not Superman.Super mom.
As Lollobrigida hugs her husband and coach, the story begins on the ice.
Lollobrigida and the home team had to watch nervously as four other skaters tried to knock her off the top spot, including two from the Netherlands, a traditional powerhouse in long track speed skating.Wiklund and five-time world champion Marijke Groenewoud of the Netherlands were next, and when no one got past Lollobrigida, she went on to medal.
The last pair were Canadian Isabel Widman and five-time world champion Dutch Joy Peun.They were also short.The gold belonged to Loloprigida, who rushed through the warm-up area and strained to see her family calling.Just before the final pair began, TV cameras showed Thomas playing what appeared to be a speed skater.
When Bonnet, who finished fourth, crashed to the finish line during Lollobrigida, it sparked a wild celebration for the Italians, who also took home their first gold medal in Milan.
"The message I want to convey is that I didn't choose between family, being a mother (or being a speed skater)," said Lollobrigida."I stopped (competing) right after I won the medals (silver and bronze) in Beijing. I was at the top of the world, you know? I was brave, so I'm proud of myself."
Lollobrigida is also quick to point out that she didn't do anything on her own.She said Saturday's gold medal was the result of teamwork and thanked her husband for always believing in her and telling her what she needed to hear, even when it wasn't easy.As for Tommaso, his mother said she hopes he can watch Saturday's race and understand what he's doing.
That wasn't the only impressive thing he did at Lollobridge.Tommaso was born in May 2023 and returned to competition six months after his birth in Lolobriga.He won a bronze medal at the European mass start championship in January 2024. Tommaso was also in the audience.
Lollobrigida is also the holder of the world title in the 5,000 meters race, which she will also compete in these games.In the fourth Olympic Games, when he is considered "old" to compete, Lollobrigida continues to get better and is ready to hold Tommaso and the Italian flag again at the ceremony.
His training wasn't perfect, Lollobrigida said he got sick at these Games, but the results paid off.He'll celebrate Saturday, then get back on the ice and get ready for the next race.
