Arianna Fontana: Controversy and Team Dynamics in Italian Short Track
Love her or hate her, Pietro Sighel embodies that sentiment. His unconventional finish in the mixed team relay at the short track event has sharply divided public opinion. However, the 26-year-old doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. This time, the spotlight is on his remarks regarding Arianna Fontana, his teammate alongside Thomas Nadalini and Elisa Confortola in the relay that secured a stunning gold medal for Italy.
When questioned about the champion, who is on the verge of surpassing Edoardo Mangiarotti’s Olympic record, Sighel responded bluntly: “Arianna Fontana? Who even knows her?” These words have reopened a long-standing rift between the star skater and the national team.
A History of Discord
“For eight years, she’s trained abroad, a choice she made herself. We’re certainly not a team with her, except for those two and a half minutes on the ice,” Sighel explained, adding, “The truly exceptional ones are our girls, who have managed to build a team and grow even without her.”
The roots of this discord trace back to 2019, when Arianna Fontana accused Andrea Cassinelli and Tommaso Dotti of causing her to fall during a training session in Courmayeur. The matter was only resolved in 2024, with the two athletes being acquitted by the federal court of the Federghiaccio (Italian Ice Sports Federation). “It ended as it should have, or rather, shouldn’t have even started: the two boys were acquitted for not committing the act,” Sighel commented.
Seeking Visibility for Short Track
Sighel attempted to downplay past controversies while simultaneously igniting new ones. Regarding his exuberant celebration, he stated, “I didn’t mean to disrespect anyone with the celebration. Only idiots would think it was a mockery. My sport needs visibility; I want to bring it into Italian homes like Valentino Rossi did with motorcycles. He’s my absolute idol.”
The situation highlights the complex dynamics within the Italian short track team and the ongoing challenges of fostering unity and collaboration, especially with a star athlete like Arianna Fontana who chooses to train outside of the traditional national team structure. The future will reveal whether these tensions can be resolved for the benefit of Italian short track skating. For more information on Italian sports news, you can visit Gazzetta dello Sport.
Source: Gazzetta dello Sport
