Italian short track legend Arianna Fontana extended her historic Olympic run on Thursday (12 February), claiming a silver medal in the women’s 500m at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The medal marks Fontana’s 13th Olympic podium finish, making her the most decorated short track speed skater in history and tying the overall Italian Olympic medal record set by fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
The 35-year-old, who made her Olympic debut as a 15-year-old at Turin 2006, has now won medals at six consecutive Winter Games. Earlier this week, she captured gold in the mixed team relay, becoming the first woman to medal at six straight Winter Olympics.
In the 500m — her signature event — Fontana added a fifth Olympic medal, following two golds, a silver and a bronze in previous editions. She finished behind world-record holder Xandra Velzeboer, who took gold in 41.609 seconds, while holding off Canada’s Courtney Sarault to secure silver.
«It was a pretty crazy day. I am still on a roller-coaster with emotions,» Fontana said after the race. «This is short track and I had to use my experience to keep the others behind me.»
Two decades after her Olympic debut, Fontana continues to build one of the most remarkable legacies in Winter Games history.
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