Italian Olympic star taunts Team USA with celebration after gold medal win

Team USA’s men’s speedskating pursuit team fell victim to an Italian athlete’s taunts following the event at Milan-Cortina on Tuesday (17 February).

With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games coming to an end, Norway currently lead the medals table with 15 golds, eight silvers and 10 bronzes, while hosts Italy are second with nine golds, four silvers and 12 bronzes.

The United States are third, having won seven golds, 11 silvers and six bronzes.

Overall, Norway have won 33 medals, with Italy on 25 and the United States on 24.

One of Italy’s gold medals was secured at the expense of Team USA on Tuesday.

The Italian team, made up of Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti, defeated world record holders and current world champions Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran.

Italy won by 4.51 seconds to secure the European nation’s first Olympic title in the team pursuit since 2006.

The Italian crowd were overjoyed, with Giovannini leaning into the jubilant mood by performing NBA icon Steph Curry’s trademark ‘night-night’ celebration, which no doubt rubbed salt into the American team’s wounds.

Shortly after Italy’s triumph, Giovannini explained how he had been “waiting” to emulate Steph at the finish line.

“The last lap, we were in control,” he said when speaking to the New York Post.

“And I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph. [It’s] emblematic of having cold blood.”

Giovannini admitted that the celebration was premeditated, as he told his team-mate Francesco Betti before Tuesday’s event.

“It happened,” Giovannini added. “I was worried I would forget.”

When asked about the celebration, America’s Lehman said that he did not see the ‘night-night’ gesture, although he joked that it was “better than getting two middle fingers from the Russians four years ago”.

At the 2022 Games, Russian skater Daniil Aldoshkin brandished two fingers after his team beat the US in the semi-finals of the team pursuit in Beijing, China.

Dawson also waded in and said: “Hey, they’re celebrating. They put in the work. Good for them.”

Giovannini later told the media: “I love all sports, but especially the NBA. Yesterday I told my roommate, ‘If I win tomorrow, I will do the night-night.’

“I did it, and I enjoyed it — mainly because I’m a super fan of the NBA and Steph Curry.”

The Milan-Cortina Closing Ceremony will take place on Sunday, 22 February.

*Medal statistics correct as of February 18, 2026.