Print the Biography/Short

Arianna Fontana

Italy

SportShort Track
FederationIDSTITA21404199001
NOCItaly
Born14 Apr 1990 in Sondrio 
GenderWomen
ResidenceTallahassee, FL, USA
OccupationAthlete
LanguagesEnglish, Italian
FamilyHusband Anthony Lobello
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 42.033 27 Nov 2021 Dordrecht  
    1000m 1:26.811 11 Feb 2022 Beijing  
    1500m 2:15.753 12 Nov 2016 Salt Lake City, UT  
    3000m 5:01.187 11 Mar 2012 Shanghai  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
Olympic Games
Event  
Olympic Games
    500m 2 1 1  
    1000m     1  
    1500m   1 1  
    2000m Relay   1    
    3000m Relay   1 2  
World Championships
Event  
World Championships
    500m   4 1  
    1000m   1 2  
    1500m 1      
    3000m Relay     4  
    Overall   1 3  
World Junior Championships
Event  
World Junior Championships
    2000m Relay   1    
    3000m Relay 1      
European Championships
Event  
European Championships
    500m   1    
    1000m 1   1  
    1500m 1 1    
    3000m Relay 3 3 2  
    Overall 7 3 1  
General Interest
General Interest
MilestonesShe became the first athlete representing Italy to win 11 career medals in any sport at the Olympic Winter Games when she claimed silver in the 1500m at the 2022 Games in Beijing. By winning three total medals in Beijing, the 2022 Games also saw her surpass the Russian Federation's Victor An and the United States of America's Apolo Anton Ohno [on eight medals each] to set a record for most medals won by a short track athlete at the Olympic Winter Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 08 Sep 2022; olympics.com, 16 Feb 2022)

She became the first Italian female skater to win an individual Olympic medal in short track when she claimed bronze in the 500m at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Four years earlier at the 2006 Games in Turin she was part of the team that finished third in the 3000m relay, which was Italy's first ever medal in a women's short track event at the Games. At age 15 years and 314 days, the 3000m relay bronze in Turin also made her the youngest Italian of any gender to win an Olympic Winter Games medal in any sport. (olympic.org, 05 Apr 2018; olympics.nbcsports.com, 24 Feb 2018; Emporio Armani Twitter page, 22 Feb 2018; ilsussidiario.net, 13 Feb 2012; ilgiornale.it, 24 Feb 2006; SportsDeskOnline, 10 Nov 2021)
 
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Club / TeamIceLab: Bergamo, ITA  
General Interest
General Interest
HobbiesShopping. (Twitter profile, 03 Nov 2021)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportShe followed her older brother Alessandro into the sport. He had started skating a year before her. "I liked winning as a child."  
General Interest
General Interest
Awards and honoursIn 2020 she received the Cristallo d'Oro [Golden Crystal] Award from the Italian Winter Sports Federation [FISI] and the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. (gazzetta.it, 01 Aug 2020; fisg.it, 02 Aug 2020)

She was named Best Female Athlete of the Olympic Winter Games at the 2018 Association of National Olympic Committees [ANOC] awards. (anocolympic.org, 2018; FISG, 09 Oct 2019)

She was flag bearer for Italy at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. She had performed the same role at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Games in Sochi. (isu.org, 10 Feb 2018; insidethegames.biz, 22 Oct 2017)

She was made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2006. (quirinale.it, 2006)
 
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Name of coachAnthony Lobello [husband, personal]  
When and where did you begin this sport?She began inline skating at age four in Sondrio, Italy, and later took up short track in Valmalenco, Italy.  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationMOVE TO HUNGARY
In July 2020 she relocated to Budapest, Hungary, in order to prepare for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing alongside her husband Anthony Lobello and the Hungarian national team. She made the decision to leave Italy following a disagreement with national coaches and Italian Ice Sports Federation [FISG]. "There were some problems with the coaches and a little bit with the federation. The environment within the team was not professional, so the decision to move to another country was already taken at the end of the season [2019/20]." (lastampa.it, 18 Jul 2020; corrieredellosport.it, 18 Jul 2020; teleunica.tv, 03 Nov 2020)
 
Most influential person in careerHer husband Anthony Lobello, and Bulgarian short track skater Evgenia Radanova. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Sporting philosophy / motto"Believe in more. Find more inspiration. Your biggest obstacles are internal. Dig deep to dig them out." (FISG, 09 Oct 2019)  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/arianna.fontana.12  
twitter.com/AryFonta  
General Interest
General Interest
Famous relativesHer husband Anthony Lobello has competed in short track at the Olympic Winter Games. He represented the United States of America at the 2006 Games in Turin, and skated for Italy at the 2014 Games in Sochi. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Feb 2017; Athlete, 01 Feb 2017)  
NicknamesAry, Freccia Bionda [Blond Arrow], Angelo Biondo [Blond Angel]. (Instagram profile, 01 Feb 2017; repubblica.it, 15 Jan 2017; eurosport.com, 30 Nov 2016)  
InjuriesShe struggled with an ankle injury during the 2019 season. (Instagram profile, 21 Jun 2021)

At age 12 she broke her ankle and was unable to skate for three months. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)
 
Hero / IdolItalian motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
AmbitionsAfter retiring from competition, she aspires to get involved in politics. (oasport.it, 29 May 2018; ilsussidiario.net, 04 Mar 2018)  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2007/2008 European Championships Overall1  
    2008/2009 European Championships Overall1  
    2016/2017 European Championships 1500m1  
    2011/2012 European Championships Overall1  
    2010/2011 European Championships Overall1  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1500m1  
    2022 Olympic Games 500m1  
    2018 Olympic Games 500m1  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1000m1  
    2012/2013 European Championships Overall1  
    2017/2018 European Championships Overall1  
    2016/2017 European Championships Overall1  
    2008/2009 World Junior Championships 3000m Relay1  
    2005/2006 European Championships 3000m Relay1  
    2016/2017 European Championships 3000m Relay1  
    2009/2010 European Championships Overall2  
    2006/2007 World Championships 500m2  
    2010/2011 World Championships 500m2  
    2010/2011 World Championships 1000m2  
    2005/2006 European Championships Overall2  
    2014/2015 World Championships Overall2  
    2011/2012 World Championships 500m2  
    2022 Olympic Games 1500m2  
    2018 Olympic Games 3000m Relay2  
    2022 Olympic Games 2000m Relay2  
    2014 Olympic Games 500m2  
    2020/2021 World Championships 500m2  
    2017/2018 European Championships 500m2  
    2019/2020 European Championships Overall2  
    2019/2020 European Championships 1500m2  
    2007/2008 World Junior Championships 2000m Relay2  
    2011/2012 European Championships 3000m Relay2  
    2006/2007 European Championships 3000m Relay2  
    2019/2020 European Championships 3000m Relay2  
    2010/2011 World Championships Overall3  
    2010 Olympic Games 500m3  
    2011/2012 World Championships Overall3  
    2014/2015 World Championships 3000m Relay3  
    2013/2014 European Championships Overall3  
    2014 Olympic Games 1500m3  
    2014 Olympic Games 3000m Relay3  
    2013/2014 World Championships 3000m Relay3  
    2014/2015 World Championships 500m3  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1000m3  
    2018 Olympic Games 1000m3  
    2023/2024 World Championships 1000m3  
    2020/2021 World Championships Overall3  
    2019/2020 European Championships 1000m3  
    2010/2011 European Championships 3000m Relay3  
    2005/2006 World Championships 3000m Relay3  
    2020/2021 World Championships 3000m Relay3  
    2006 Olympic Games 3000m Relay3  
    2005/2006 World Junior Championships Overall4  
    2010/2011 World Championships 1500m4  
    2016/2017 European Championships 500m4  
    2007/2008 World Junior Championships Overall4  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1500m4  
    2014/2015 European Championships 3000m Relay4  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1500m4  
    2014/2015 European Championships Overall4  
    2006/2007 World Championships 3000m Relay4  
    2007/2008 World Championships 3000m Relay4  
    2017/2018 World Championships 3000m Relay4  
    2006/2007 World Championships Overall5  
    2016/2017 European Championships 1000m5  
    2008/2009 World Junior Championships Overall5  
    2017/2018 European Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2020/2021 World Championships 1500m5  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1000m5  
    2013/2014 European Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2012/2013 World Championships 500m5  
    2022 Olympic Games 3000m Relay5  
    2015/2016 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2020/2021 World Championships 1000m5  
    2023/2024 World Championships 500m5  
    2008/2009 European Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2008/2009 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2009/2010 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2010/2011 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2011/2012 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2012/2013 World Championships 3000m Relay5  
    2006/2007 World Championships 1000m6  
    2006 Olympic Games 1000m6  
    2013/2014 World Championships 500m6  
    2023/2024 World Championships 3000m Relay6  
    2007/2008 European Championships 3000m Relay6  
    2010 Olympic Games 3000m Relay6  
    2009/2010 World Championships 500m7  
    2008/2009 World Championships 1000m7  
    2006/2007 European Championships Overall7  
    2011/2012 World Championships 1500m7  
    2018 Olympic Games 1500m7  
    2009/2010 European Championships 3000m Relay7  
    2005/2006 World Junior Championships 2000m Relay7  
    2012/2013 European Championships 3000m Relay8  
    2013/2014 World Championships Overall9  
    2011/2012 World Championships 1000m9  
    2010 Olympic Games 1500m9  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1500m9  
    2016/2017 World Championships Overall9  
    2007/2008 World Championships 500m10  
    2007/2008 World Championships Overall10  
    2009/2010 World Championships 1000m10  
    2009/2010 World Championships 1500m10  
    2022 Olympic Games 1000m10  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1000m10  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1000m10  
    2012/2013 World Championships Overall10  
    2019/2020 European Championships 500m10  
    2006/2007 World Junior Championships 2000m Relay10  
    2006/2007 World Junior Championships Overall11  
    2008/2009 World Championships Overall11  
    2007/2008 World Championships 1500m11  
    2009/2010 World Championships Overall11  
    2005/2006 World Championships 500m11  
    2006 Olympic Games 500m11  
    2007/2008 World Championships 1000m12  
    2010 Olympic Games 1000m12  
    2008/2009 World Championships 1500m14  
    2006/2007 World Championships 1500m14  
    2023/2024 World Championships 1500m14  
    2005/2006 World Championships Overall15  
    2005/2006 World Championships 1500m15  
    2004/2005 World Junior Championships Overall16  
    2008/2009 World Championships 500m16  
    2014 Olympic Games 1000m16  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1500m19  
    2016/2017 World Championships 500m21  
    2005/2006 World Championships 1000m25  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 500m1  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 500m1  
    2011/2012 Saguenay, QC 500m1  
    2011/2012 Dordrecht 500m1  
    2011/2012 Nagoya 1500m1  
    2011/2012 Nagoya 500m1  
    2011/2012 Shanghai 500m1  
    2011/2012 Saguenay, QC 1500m1  
    2015/2016 Dresden 3000m Relay1  
    2014/2015 Montreal, QC 500m1  
    2015/2016 Dordrecht 3000m Relay1  
    2014/2015 Dresden 500m1  
    2013/2014 Kolomna 1000m1  
    2021/2022 Nagoya 500m1  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 1000m1  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 1500m1  
    2011/2012 Nagoya 3000m Relay1  
    2006/2007 Heerenveen 3000m Relay1  
    2019/2020 Nagoya 3000m Relay1  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 500m2  
    2008/2009 Dresden 500m2  
    2010/2011 Quebec, QC 1000m2  
    2010/2011 Quebec, QC 500m2  
    2010/2011 Montreal, QC 500m2  
    2011/2012 Moscow 500m2  
    2008/2009 Sofia 500m2  
    2014/2015 Montreal, QC 1500m2  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 500m2  
    2013/2014 Turin 500m2  
    2016/2017 Minsk 500m2  
    2016/2017 Dresden 3000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 Minsk 3000m Relay2  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 500m2  
    2012/2013 Sochi 500m2  
    2019/2020 Montreal, QC 1500m2  
    2014/2015 Dresden 3000m Relay2  
    2021/2022 Dordrecht 500m2  
    2021/2022 Debrecen 500m2  
    2021/2022 Nagoya 1500m2  
    2021/2022 Beijing 500m2  
    2014/2015 Montreal, QC 3000m Relay2  
    2014/2015 Salt Lake City, UT 500m2  
    2017/2018 Budapest 500m2  
    2012/2013 Sochi 500m2  
    2019/2020 Nagoya 500m2  
    2007/2008 Heerenveen 3000m Relay2  
    2008/2009 Sofia 3000m Relay2  
    2008/2009 Dresden 3000m Relay2  
    2007/2008 Kobe 3000m Relay2  
    2007/2008 Turin 3000m Relay2  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m3  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 500m3  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1000m3  
    2008/2009 Dresden 500m3  
    2006/2007 Heerenveen 500m3  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 500m3  
    2013/2014 Kolomna 3000m Relay3  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 3000m Relay3  
    2012/2013 Calgary, AB 500m3  
    2013/2014 Turin 3000m Relay3  
    2013/2014 Seoul 500m3  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1000m3  
    2014/2015 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m3  
    2019/2020 Nagoya 1500m3  
    2008/2009 Beijing 3000m Relay3  
    2010/2011 Shanghai 3000m Relay3  
    2010/2011 Moscow 3000m Relay3  
    2005/2006 Bormio 3000m Relay3  
    2006/2007 Budapest 3000m Relay3  
    2021/2022 Nagoya 3000m Relay3  
    2021/2022 Dordrecht 3000m Relay3  
    2012/2013 Shanghai 3000m Relay3  
    2013/2014 Shanghai 3000m Relay3  
    2012/2013 Sochi 3000m Relay3  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m4  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1500m4  
    2010/2011 Dresden 500m4  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 3000m Relay4  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 1500m5  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 500m5  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 500m5  
    2016/2017 Dresden 500m5  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 3000m Relay5  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m5  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 3000m Relay5  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 500m5  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1500m5  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 500m5  
    2012/2013 Dresden 3000m Relay5  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m6  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 500m6  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1500m6  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1500m6  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 3000m Relay6  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 3000m Relay6  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m6  
    2014/2015 Dresden 1500m6  
    2010/2011 Dresden 3000m Relay6  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 500m7  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 500m7  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 1500m7  
    2012/2013 Dresden 500m7  
    2012/2013 Dresden 1500m7  
    2016/2017 Minsk 1000m7  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 1000m8  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 1500m8  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 3000m Relay8  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 1000m9  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 1500m9  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 500m9  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1000m10  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1500m10  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 1000m12  
    2010/2011 Dresden 500m12  
    2016/2017 Dresden 1500m12  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 500m13  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 500m13  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1000m14  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 1000m16  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1500m18  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1000m18  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 1500m20  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 500m20  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 500m20  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 1500m27  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 1000m28  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1000m32  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification Overall33  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 1000m34  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1000m40  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 1500m41  
    2005/2006 World Cup Classification 1500m52  
    2006/2007 World Cup Classification 1000m57  
    2007/2008 World Cup Classification 1500m63