Arianna Fontana follows Myriam Sylla, winner of the 2025 edition, as the recipient of the Aura Sport & Cultura Award, the prize created by Undici to celebrate the best in Italian sport. For the Italian speed skater, the award comes at the end of another year at the very highest level, culminating in her unforgettable achievement at Milano Cortina 2026: at the Winter Olympics on home soil, Fontana became the most decorated Italian athlete in Olympic history. She now has 14 medals from the Winter Games, won across six editions. But what does it feel like to keep winning?
“For me, this is an important and special award,” Fontana said shortly after receiving the Aura Sport & Cultura Award from Gregorio Paltrinieri, president of the jury for the 2026 edition. “It looks beyond the victories, at everything around them, at everything I’ve managed to convey over all these years. I also dedicate it to all the other champions who were here tonight. They all deserved it. It’s truly emotional.”
Since we’re talking about aura, even with a lowercase a, Fontana was asked about the moment on the ice when she felt it most strongly. “The Olympic final in Beijing 2022, when I won my second gold.” It was the 500 metres, an unforgettable victory. “The adrenaline, that scream as I crossed the finish line — it was something incredible for me.” The countless Italians who have continued to cheer her on were there for that too, right through to this year’s second gold in the mixed relay, in front of the Milan crowd and on home ice. It was perhaps one of the defining images of a memorable Italian Olympics.
“What do I like most about my sport? It’s unpredictable,” Fontana says. “It’s not enough to be the strongest or the fastest on the track: you also have to be smart, know how to read the race and your opponents, and anticipate their moves. There are so many things at play, not just physical strength but mental strength too.” And what does she like least? “Unfortunately, you can lose a place on the podium or miss the final because of someone else: you race against several athletes on the track, you can’t control everyone’s actions, and sometimes you get caught up in foul play. That’s the ugly side of it, but it’s always part of the game.”
Fontana received the award from Gregorio Paltrinieri, who chaired a jury made up of athletes, former athletes, journalists and leading figures from Italian sport. The ceremony took place at the Triennale Milano, during an evening event with OMEGA and Gruppo FS as Main Partners. The 2026 edition of the Aura Sport & Cultura Award was also held under the patronage of Fondazione Cariplo, with Slums Dunk as Charity Partner: part of the proceeds went to the organisation, which runs volunteering and sports-inclusion projects through basketball.
Many of the candidates who made the shortlist were at the Triennale, among them Dariya Derkach, Kelly Doualla, Sarah Fahr, Sofia Fiorini, Mattia Furlani, Larissa Iapichino, Daniele Lavia, Francesca Lollobrigida, Filippo Macchi, Nicolò Martinenghi, Benedetta Pilato, Simona Quadarella and Dorothea Wierer, along with many other remarkable people who joined us for the aperitivo and dinner, both made possible with the support of Tormaresca and Calafuria as Wine Partners. Gianluca Gazzoli, who hosted the evening, was there too, as were fencer Rossella Fiamingo, footballer Chiara Beccari and many other figures who helped make 2026 such a memorable year for Italian sport. Below, as they come in, you’ll find some images from the evening. The story continues over the coming days on our Instagram profile. Our thanks go to all our partners, all of you, and all the friends who shared this event and this project with us.
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