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Italy Upsets U.S. for Olympic Men’s Team Pursuit Gold as Giovannini’s ‘Night-Night’ Goes Viral

The host nation overhauled the world record holders with a late surge to win by 4.51 seconds on home ice.

Overview

  • Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti won in 3:39.20, finishing 4.51 seconds ahead of the Americans in Milan.
  • Team USA entered as favorites after a 3:32.49 world record in November and a streak of World Cup titles.
  • Giovannini executed Steph Curry’s signature sleep gesture at the finish, a move he had told a teammate he planned days earlier.
  • U.S. skaters said they did not see the celebration and responded with humor, recalling harsher taunts from 2022.
  • The victory delivered Italy’s first men’s team pursuit medal since 2006 and moved the hosts to the top of the Milan-Cortina speed skating table with three golds and a bronze.