International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry on Friday paid tribute to Italian Alpine skier Federica Brignone and short-track speed skater Arianna Fontana who both came back from major injuries over the last year to win gold medals at Milano Cortina 2026.
    Brignone, who broke her leg in April, won the women's SuperG on Thursday.

Fontana, who suffered a muscle tear in October, helped Italy win the mixed short-track relay event on Tuesday before taking silver in the individual 500 metres on Thursday to notch the 13th Olympic medal of her remarkable career.
    She is the Italian woman athlete to have won the most Olympic medals and she has equalled the record for either sex of fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti, who also won 13 between 1936 and 1960.
    "The Games are going well, I saw some athletes who are doing very well, like the Italian ones," Coventry told a press conference.
    "I was able to see Federica Brignone and Arianna Fontana, and I'm very happy to have had the opportunity to witness their stories of resilience.
    "Arianna is now the Italian athlete who has won the most medals during the Olympic Games.
    "It's wonderful, and yesterday again you could feel the passion and respect she has for this sport and for her competitors.
    "It was a fantastic moment".

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