Arianna FONTANA

MOVE TO HUNGARY
Relocated to Budapest, Hungary, in July 2020 to prepare for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games alongside her husband Anthony Lobello (ITA) and the Hungarian national team. Made the decision following a disagreement with national coaches and the Italian Ice Sports Federation. (isu.org)

COVID-19
Missed the 2021 European Championships in Gdansk, due to concerns about the pandemic, preferring to focus instead on the World Championships in March. "Should I contract the virus at the European Championships, I probably would not be able to participate in the World Championships because I would have to quarantine in Poland for two weeks, then have medical examinations, and throughout that time not train properly. So although I would love to fight for my eighth European title, if I have to choose one of the two competitions, I choose the World Championships." (neveitalia.it, 7 Jan 2021)

BREAKS FROM COMPETITION
Took a year off after the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games to consider whether she wanted to retire, ultimately returning for the 2019/20 World Cup after deciding to aim for a medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games. She also missed a large proportion of the 2015/16 season after a tiring season following the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. During her time off she learned how to box, which she said eased the transition back into skating.

“I was pretty tired mentally. My body was ready to race again but my mind was not. It was hard for me. After the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, I had some doubts about whether to keep skating or not. Maybe it would have been better to take that year right after the Olympic Games off, but I decided to keep going. It is not that I regret it, but I had some hard times that season.” (oasport.it, 6 Nov 2019, olympics.nbcsports.com, 24 Feb 2018, repubblica.it, 21 June 2021, isu.org)

TATTOO
Has a large tattoo of a manta ray on her back. (sportfolks.net, 27 Jun 2017)

© Data by Sports Data Warehouse

11-time Olympic medallist, making her the most decorated short track speed skater in Olympic history.

Won gold in the 500m and silver in 1500m and mixed team relay. Finished fourth in 3000m relay and 10th in 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Became the youngest Italian to win a medal at the Olympic Winter Games, winning the bronze medal in the 3000m relay at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games aged 15 years and 314 days.

First Italian to pick up a medal in a women’s individual short track Olympic skating event with a bronze medal in the 500m at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Most successful Italian woman at the Olympic Games with 11 medals.

11-time European gold medallist, World Champion in 1500m in 2015, 17-time World Cup gold medallist.