Military athletes deliver early medals as Milano Cortina 2026 finds its rhythm
MILAN / CORTINA D’AMPEZZO (ITA) – More than 300 military athletes representing the respective CISM Nations, among them France, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, Poland and Italy, are competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, proudly combining elite sport with service to their nations. In the opening days of competition, this unique community has already left its mark, delivering podium performances and powerful stories that reflect the values of excellence, resilience and Friendship through Sport.
Military athletes have made a remarkable impact in the opening phase of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, capturing seven Olympic medals across five disciplines and demonstrating once again the powerful link between military values and sporting excellence. Competing alongside the world’s best, these service members have carried the colors of their nations with honor, discipline, and determination.
The first golden moment came on the ice oval where Francesca Lollobrigida delivered a historic performance in the Women’s 3,000 m Speed Skating, claiming Olympic gold with a commanding race. Competing with composure and tactical intelligence, Lollobrigida became a symbol of Italian pride and resilience, celebrating a victory that resonated far beyond the rink. Her triumph stands as one of the defining images of the early Games.
On the legendary Stelvio downhill course in Bormio, alpine skiing produced an unforgettable double podium for military athletes. Rising talent Giovanni Franzoni stormed to silver in the Men’s Downhill, confirming his status among the elite of world skiing, while veteran speed specialist Dominik Paris secured a well-deserved bronze. For Paris, a respected figure on the World Cup circuit, the medal represented the culmination of years of perseverance and commitment to excellence.
Team spirit was at the heart of the Biathlon Mixed Relay, where the quartet of Lisa Vittozzi, Dorothea Wierer, Lukas Hofer, and Tommaso Giacomel produced a masterclass of precision shooting and endurance skiing to earn silver. Their performance illustrated the collective strength and mutual trust that define both military service and biathlon at the highest level.
Speed skating continued to bring success as Riccardo Lorello claimed bronze in the Men’s 5,000 m, announcing the arrival of a new generation of Italian talent on the Olympic stage. On the sliding track, Dominik Fischnaller added another bronze in Men’s Singles Luge, navigating the challenging course with the cool-headed control characteristic of an experienced soldier-athlete.
The medal collection was completed in Livigno where Lucia Dalmasso captured bronze in the Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding. Her journey from injury setbacks to Olympic podium embodies the resilience and fighting spirit shared by athletes in uniform around the world.
These achievements underline the essential role played by military athletes at Milano Cortina 2026. Beyond medals, they represent values of integrity, teamwork, and respect — the same principles promoted daily within the armed forces and at the heart of the CISM mission.
As the Games continue, military competitors remain strong contenders in numerous events, ready to write new chapters of Olympic history and to inspire future generations through the spirit of Friendship through Sport.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Ministero Della Difesa)
