All posts tagged: Lollobrigida

After backlash, Vatican points to Olympic champion Lollobrigida as model of motherhood

After backlash, Vatican points to Olympic champion Lollobrigida as model of motherhood

Published by Sam Flores

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Italian Olympic speedskating champion Francesca Lollobrigida faced backlash for bringing her energetic 2-year-old son to interviews after her gold medal wins last month. But at the Vatican on Tuesday (March 17), officials held her up as a model of motherhood and elite sport. “Francesca’s choice is not an obvious one,” said Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, who heads the Vatican department for culture and education, during a press conference at the Vatican. “In her victory, we celebrate the victory of all men and women who say it is possible.” Lollobrigida learned she was pregnant with her son, Tommaso, soon after winning silver and bronze medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. While many said she would not be able to return to the ice, she continued training after her pregnancy and while breastfeeding as she prepared to compete in the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina. “I did not give up when they told me I would not win again — and instead, I won even more,” Lollobrigida said at …

Italian speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida wins gold at home on 35th birthday

Italian speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida wins gold at home on 35th birthday

Published by Sam Flores

It was a very happy birthday for Francesca Lollobrigida. Lollobrigida, competing today on her 35th birthday, brought home the gold for Team Italy in the women’s speed skating 3000m — and set an Olympic record in the process. The Italian crowd went wild as the hometown hero raced to the finish. Lollobrigida fought for her lead after trailing Team Canada’s Valerie Maltais, who finished with a bronze medal, for most of the race. She overtook her competitor in the final moments of the neck-and-neck race as her young son Tommaso watched from the sidelines. Follow along for live updates Afterward, the speedskater told reporters that it was a “perfect day.” “My family was here watching me and it’s incredible because we’re in Italy, and it’s the dream of my dream,” she said. Lollobrigida is the first Italian woman to ever win a speedskating gold and the first Italian athlete to win gold at the 2026 Olympics. She had previously earned a silver and bronze medal in 2022 at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Lollobrigida finished with …