Italy’s men and Canada’s women win the Olympic team pursuit speedskating gold medals

Italy’s Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, and Michele Malfatti displayed an outstanding performance as they outpaced U.S. world record-holders Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran by 4 1/2 seconds to clinch the gold medal in the men’s team pursuit speedskating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The Italian trio crossed the finish line in 3 minutes, 39.20 seconds, delighting the home crowd at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

Canada also shined in the women’s team pursuit, with Ivanie Blondin, Valerie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann securing their second consecutive Winter Games title. The Canadian team finished in 2:55.81, nearly a full second ahead of the Netherlands, showcasing their dominance in the event.

The United States, led by Dawson, Lehman, and Cepuran, started strong in the final but were ultimately overtaken by the Italian team. Despite their best efforts and innovative techniques such as the pushing method and the use of computer technology for aerodynamics, the Americans fell short against a determined Italian squad.

In the men’s team pursuit bronze medal race, China’s Liu Hanbin, Wu Yu, and Li Wenhao secured their country’s first team pursuit medal by narrowly defeating the Netherlands. On the women’s side, Japan’s Miho Takagi, Ayano Sato, and Hana Noake claimed the bronze medal by defeating the U.S. trio of Brittany Bowe, Mia Manganello, and Giorgia Birkeland.

Takagi, a seasoned skater with an impressive Olympic medal count, added another bronze to her collection, bringing her total to 10 Olympic medals. Her success in team pursuit and other individual events solidifies her status as a standout athlete in the sport of speedskating.

Team pursuit, a thrilling event that involves three skaters from each country racing against the clock, has become a fan favorite since its introduction to the Olympics in 2006. The strategic teamwork and precise coordination required in this event make it a compelling spectacle for both athletes and spectators.

The Milan Cortina Olympics showcased the incredible talent and skill of speedskaters from around the world, with Italy’s triumph in the men’s team pursuit and Canada’s dominance in the women’s team pursuit highlighting the competitive spirit of the Games. As the competition continues, fans can expect more thrilling races and inspiring performances from the world’s top speedskaters.

For more updates on the Winter Olympics, visit https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics.