Short track-Fontana becomes Italy's most decorated Olympian with relay silver

MILAN, Feb 18 - Arianna Fontana became her country's most decorated Olympian when she led Italy to silver behind South Korea in the women's 3,000 metres short track relay at the Winter Games on Wednesday.

It was the 14th Olympic medal of Fontana's career, eclipsing the record of fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti who won 13 medals between 1936 and 1960.

"It's something incredible. I still haven't found the right words to describe this moment and everything I'm feeling. I'm trying to take it all in, to stay present, to enjoy this medal with the girls, and maybe tomorrow, when I wake up, it will all really sink in," she told reporters.

Canada took the bronze. It was the first short track gold of the Games for South Korea, the most successful nation in the discipline at the Olympics.

PM MELONI CHEERED AT MILAN'S ICE SKATING ARENA

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in the Milano Ice Skating Arena to witness Fontana make history.

"She told us she had watched the race and was cheering for us. She was thrilled and gave us so many compliments. We really appreciated it. She was genuinely very happy, and we even felt a bit embarrassed, but it was truly a special moment," said Elisa Confortola, one of the Italian team members.

"Meloni also took a photo with us," she added.

Many supporters came to Milan's ice skating arena to support the Italian team, and especially Fontana.

"It was lovely to watch her race after race, always with the same determination, which gives everyone an important lesson, a great source of inspiration," fan Sara Digesi said.

The way was cleared for Italy to take a medal when a Dutch skater fell midway through the race, effectively turning it into a three-team contest.

"I'm sad for them. We tried to stay concentrated, calm and collected. We knew it was going to be chaotic. We took advantage of other skaters' mistakes and we found our way to the podium," Fontana said.

The Italian skater, 35, has now won three medals at the Milano Cortina Games. She made her Olympic debut as a teenager when Italy hosted the Turin Games in 2006, picking up the first medal of her career in the women's relay.

She had the honour of carrying the Italian flag at the Opening Ceremony in the San Siro stadium this month but her relations with teammates and sports officials have been tense at times.

TENSE RELATIONSHIP

In 2019, Fontana accused two teammates of deliberately causing her to fall during a training session. The skaters were cleared after a lengthy disciplinary process.

She hinted she might switch allegiance to the U.S. in 2023 after a breakdown in relations with her national federation.

Fontana had missed out on her first chance to break the record on Monday, finishing fourth in the women's 1,000 metres, after being barged by Chinese rival Gong Li during the final.

After that race she said she had a "bitter taste in her mouth", adding that she would not allow the quest for the 14th medal to distract her.

Fontana comes from the small town of Berbenno, around two hours' drive north of Milan, where the local bars are papered with signed photos of her.

Married to her coach, the Italian-American former skater Anthony Lobello, she speaks fluent English and has spent long periods training abroad. REUTERS