Winter Olympics champion defies entire country with post-race kiss
Italian speedskater Arianna Fontana has lifted the lid on a nasty feud with her own country after winning gold at the Winter Olympics.
The 31-year-old Italian made a brilliant pass to take the lead late in the 500 metres on Monday, skating to victory against world champion Suzanne Schulting of the Netherlands and world record holder Kim Boutin of Canada.
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Fontana was already the most decorated short track skater in Olympics history, having helped Italy win silver in the new mixed team relay two days earlier.
She shared a post-race kiss with her American coach and husband Anthony Lobello Jr, a move that was a telling act of defiance against Italian officials.
“Me and my family had to go through a bad situation, people that didn’t want me here. My federation wasn’t supportive,” Fontana said.
"They didn’t want me having my husband as a coach, but today we proved he was the best possible coach.
"They didn’t help. In fact, they tried to find ways that we wouldn’t be here at all. It was tough.”
Fontana said Italian federation officials passed her in the hallway after her victory and didn’t bother to offer their congratulations.
“I wasn’t looking for them to come up to me,” she said.
“It’s actually better if they stay away.”
Fontana won gold in the 500m four years ago in Pyeongchang, but she said it was made clear by Italian skating officials and the national coaching staff that Lobello wasn't welcome as her coach.
She took a year's break after the 2018 Olympics, leaving Italy and relocating to Hungary to train in the lead-up to Beijing.
“I wasn't welcome. It was not a good environment for me to be in,” she said.
“There’s some major problems that are obviously not me and my coach.”
Arianna Fontana and Anthony Lobello's triumph
Lobello had his own troubled relationship with US Speedskating, competing for America at the Turin Olympics in 2006 before switching his nationality to compete for Italy in 2014.
He was eligible to do so because his paternal grandfather is Italian.
He began dating Fontana in 2012 and the couple were married two years later.
Lobello started coaching Fontana after he retired from skating. Working together, she won three medals in Pyeongchang.
“He was my best choice," she said. "My best decision to have him on my side.”
Fontana has one more chance at a medal in Beijing in the women's 3000m relay starting on Wednesday.
The next Winter Games will be in Milan-Cortina in 2026.
Fontana's first Olympics in 2006 were in her home country, where at 15 she became the youngest Italian to medal. The idea of finishing her career at home is enticing.
“But I don't want to go for 2026 just to participate,” she said.
with Associated Press
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