MILAN, 16 February 2026 – Italian short track legend Arianna Fontana continues to rewrite the history books at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Exactly two decades after her debut as a teenager in Turin, the “Short Track Queen” has secured her place as the most decorated female short track skater in history, reaching a career total of 13 Olympic medals during the opening week of the Games.
Historic Performance at Milano Cortina 2026
Fontana’s sixth Olympic appearance has been nothing short of spectacular. On Tuesday, 10 February, she powered the Italian squad to a gold medal in the mixed team relay, marking her 12th career medal and her third Olympic gold. The victory at the Mediolanum Forum provided the host nation with its first short track medal of these Games.
The momentum continued on Thursday, 12 February, when Fontana competed in her signature event, the women’s 500m. In a high-octane final, she secured a silver medal, finishing just behind the Netherlands’ Xandra Velzeboer. This 13th medal officially moved her into a tie for the most Olympic medals won by any Italian athlete, equalling the legendary tally of fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti.
Current Medal Standings and Records
With 13 medals spanning six consecutive Winter Games, Fontana is the only woman to have finished on the podium in six different editions of the Winter Olympics. Her career began at age 15 in 2006, where she became Italy’s youngest-ever Winter Olympic medallist.
| Olympic Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turin 2006 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Vancouver 2010 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sochi 2014 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Pyeongchang 2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Beijing 2022 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Milano Cortina 2026* | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Career Total | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
*Current standings as of 16 February 2026.
Latest Updates: The Quest for 14
As of today, Monday, 16 February, Fontana remains at the centre of the action. Earlier this morning, she competed in the quarter-finals of her remaining events, looking “exceptionally strong” according to trackside observers. While she narrowly missed the podium in a recent individual final today, finishing just outside the top three, her quest for a record-breaking 14th medal is not over.
Italy has successfully qualified for the women’s 3000m relay final, scheduled for later this week. This event represents Fontana’s primary opportunity to surpass Mangiarotti and become the undisputed most decorated Italian Olympian of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Olympic medals does Arianna Fontana have?
As of 16 February 2026, Arianna Fontana has won 13 Olympic medals: three gold, five silver, and five bronze.
What is Arianna Fontana’s best event?
Fontana is widely considered a specialist in the 500m sprint. She won gold in this event at both the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games, and most recently took silver at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
Is this Arianna Fontana’s last Olympics?
While Fontana has not officially confirmed her retirement, the 2026 Games are her sixth Winter Olympics, occurring 20 years after her debut. Competing in her home country of Italy is seen by many as the “perfect closing chapter” to her historic career.