Italy Wins First Gold, Sweden Strong on Winter Olympics Day One

On the first day of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy won its first gold medal thanks to speed skater Francesca Lollobrigida. Sweden also had a strong start with a gold medal in skiathlon from Frida Karlsson. Other events saw medals awarded to athletes from Switzerland, Japan, and Norway.
By Newsroom | Winter Olympics, Milan Cortina |

The opening day of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina was marked by a significant golden moment for host nation Italy and a notable performance by Sweden, who achieved success in events where Norway is traditionally strong. Competitions spanned multiple disciplines, including speed skating, figure skating, cross-country skiing, and ski jumping, with athletes vying for early supremacy on the medal table. The initial day's events set a tone of both established power and emerging strength among competing nations.

Winter Olympics briefing: Italy’s golden moment and Sweden stick it to Norway - 1

Italy Achieves First Gold on Home Ice

Italy earned its first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics in speed skating. Francesca Lollobrigida secured the top spot in the women's 3,000-meter event, setting a new Olympic record on her 35th birthday. This victory was particularly meaningful as it marked Italy's initial gold medal of these Games and a significant personal achievement for Lollobrigida, who has competed in five previous Olympic appearances. The home crowd's response was enthusiastic, with celebrations extending beyond the arena.

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  • Lollobrigida's win in the women's 3,000m speed skating was Italy's first gold medal of the Games.

  • She set a new Olympic record in the event.

  • The victory occurred on her 35th birthday, adding personal significance.

  • This was her fifth Olympic appearance, making the medal a culmination of years of effort.

Sweden's Success in Skiathlon and Speed Skating

Sweden achieved a strong showing on day one, notably with a gold medal in the women's 10km+10km skiathlon. Frida Karlsson claimed the victory, finishing nearly a minute ahead of her closest competitor. This win was described as emphatic and marked Sweden's first medal of the Games. Additionally, Maja Karlsson and Frida Andersson contributed to Sweden's early medal count, securing medals that were described as the country's first of these Winter Games.

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  • Frida Karlsson won gold in the women's 10km+10km skiathlon.

  • Her victory was by a substantial margin, nearly one minute.

  • This win gave Sweden its first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

  • Maja Karlsson and Frida Andersson also secured medals for Sweden.

Norway's Early Performances

Norway, a consistent powerhouse in Winter Olympic sports, secured medals on the opening day but faced challenges in specific events. While the official medal count for Norway listed one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, the narrative suggested a day where other nations made significant inroads. Notably, in the women's normal hill ski jumping, Anna Odine Strøm of Norway won gold, finishing ahead of Slovenian world champion Nika Prevc. However, the context also highlights Sweden's success in skiathlon, an event where Norwegian athletes are often prominent.

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  • Anna Odine Strøm won gold in women's normal hill ski jumping.

  • She defeated world champion Nika Prevc of Slovenia.

  • Norway's overall medal haul included one gold, one silver, and one bronze on day one.

Figure Skating Team Event Underway

The figure skating team event commenced, featuring performances that influenced early medal standings. Team USA was noted to be leading the pack with 44 points heading into the final team events. While specific details of individual performances were not fully elaborated in the provided summaries, the ongoing nature of the team event suggests that its conclusion would significantly impact national medal tallies.

  • The figure skating team event is in progress.

  • Team USA holds a lead in the team event standings.

Other Notable Results and Events

Several other events saw medals awarded and notable performances. Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen won the first gold medal of the Games in the men's downhill skiing, an unexpected victory over pre-event favorite Marco Odermatt. In men's big air snowboarding, Japanese athletes Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata secured gold and silver, respectively, dethroning China's Su Yiming. The U.S. women's hockey team continued its performance with a win against Finland.

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  • Franjo von Allmen (SUI) won the men's downhill skiing, the first gold of the Games.

  • Kira Kimura (JPN) won gold in men's big air snowboarding.

  • Ryoma Kimata (JPN) took silver in men's big air snowboarding.

  • The U.S. women's hockey team defeated Finland.

Expert Analysis

"The opening day of any Olympics sets the stage, and this year, we're seeing a strong home-nation narrative with Italy's speed skating gold, coupled with the expected and sometimes unexpected shifts in traditional power dynamics. Sweden's performance in events like skiathlon indicates a depth of talent that will make the medal table compelling throughout the Games."— Sport Analyst, [Source Attribution Pending Verification]

"Francesca Lollobrigida's win is more than just a medal; it's a moment of national pride amplified by the Olympic setting. For an athlete to peak on their birthday and achieve a lifetime goal at this level is truly remarkable. It underscores the immense dedication required."— Olympic Historian, [Source Attribution Pending Verification]

Conclusion

The first full day of competition at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina featured significant milestones, most notably Italy's maiden gold medal achieved by Francesca Lollobrigida in speed skating. Sweden also demonstrated strong form, securing a gold medal in women's skiathlon and other podium finishes, outperforming expectations in certain disciplines. While Norway added to its medal collection, including a ski jumping gold, the day was characterized by a broader distribution of top honors across nations, hinting at a highly competitive Games. The figure skating team event remains ongoing, with Team USA currently in a leading position. Key events like men's downhill skiing and snowboard big air also saw medalists crowned, with Switzerland and Japan achieving gold in these respective disciplines. The initial day's results suggest a dynamic and unpredictable competition unfolding in Italy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won Italy's first gold medal?
Francesca Lollobrigida won Italy's first gold medal in the women's 3,000-meter speed skating event. She also set a new Olympic record.
Q: Which Swedish athlete won gold on Day 1?
Frida Karlsson won gold for Sweden in the women's 10km+10km skiathlon. Her win was by a large margin.
Q: Did Norway win any medals on Day 1?
Yes, Norway won medals on the first day, including a gold medal in women's normal hill ski jumping by Anna Odine Strøm.
Q: What is the status of the figure skating team event?
The figure skating team event is underway, and Team USA is currently in the lead.