A historic triumph overshadowed by online hatred
Francesca Lollobrigida wrote a page in the history of Italian sport by winning two consecutive gold medals in the 3000 and 5000 meters of speed skating at the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics. An extraordinary feat, the result of sacrifices, very hard training and unshakable determination. Yet, instead of exclusively celebrating this sporting victory, we find ourselves talking about poisonous comments on social media aimed at a child of just two and a half years old.
The joy of a mother turned controversial
The images of Francesca who, immediately after the victory, runs to embrace little Tommaso have traveled around the world, touching millions of people. A moment of pure humanity and maternal, spontaneous and genuine love.
I wanted to hug my son, because I hadn’t seen him in a week. He had never entered the Olympic village,
explained the athlete.
Yet, that natural gesture turned into an opportunity for gratuitous attacks. During an impromptu interview, some users defined the child as “annoying” and “rude”, transforming the typical curiosity of a child in front of cameras and microphones into a pretext for cruel judgments.
The firm response of a champion and mother
You can say everything about me, but don’t touch a two and a half year old,
Lollobrigida declared firmly to Casa Italia. Words that are not just a mother’s defense, but a warning to all of us.
The thing that hurt me the most was reading that someone called my son rude. It wasn’t nice to read certain things, especially from women. I think we women should encourage each other.
The champion also revealed how tough the season has been:
Coming back I finished all the stages of the World Cup crying. I didn’t give up, and I really owe it to my son. Every time I looked at him I said to myself: I’m doing this for him.
The underlying problem: social media as a court without filters
This story raises profound questions about the toxic role social media can play in our society. Instead of celebrating an exceptional sporting achievement, too many users have focused on marginal aspects, transforming a moment of joy into an opportunity to express unsolicited and often cruel judgments.
Negative comments on social media should be curbed more firmly. Platforms should implement more effective mechanisms to protect not only public figures, but above all minors who, like little Tommaso, involuntarily end up in the spotlight. Freedom of expression cannot be transformed into freedom to offend, especially when the victims are children.
The double standard that penalizes female athletes
However, there is an even deeper problem that this story highlights: the different treatment reserved for female athletes compared to their male colleagues. When a male athlete wins an Olympic medal, the headlines and comments on social media focus on performance, timing, technique, preparation. Rarely does anyone focus on his private life, how he dresses, or the behavior of his children.
For sports women, however, the situation is different. Too often, attention shifts from the competition field (or the ice rink) to physical appearance, clothing, love life, and managing motherhood. As if being a mother and a champion were two incompatible roles, or as if a woman always had to justify her personal choices before being recognized for her professional merits.
Changing the narrative: Female athletes deserve respect for their talent
It’s time to change this sexist and reductive narrative. Francesca Lollobrigida is, first of all, an Olympic champion. A sportswoman who has dedicated years of her life to training, who has overcome moments of difficulty and discouragement, who has demonstrated extraordinary resilience. This should be the main story.
The fact that she is also a mother does not make her any less of an athlete, nor does her being an athlete make her any less of a mother. They are two dimensions of his identity that can coexist perfectly, and which do not need to be judged or commented on by those who, comfortably sitting behind a keyboard, have no idea of the sacrifices necessary to reach those levels of excellence.
We should learn to talk about female athletes with the same respect and technical attention that we reserve for men. Analyze their performances, celebrate their successes, study their strategies. And let their private life remain that way: private.
A lesson for everyone
The story of Francesca Lollobrigida teaches us several things. First: social media can be powerful tools for sharing, but also weapons of destruction if used without empathy and respect. Second: women, especially in sports, continue to suffer a level of scrutiny and judgment that men are spared. Third: we must protect children from online attacks, at all times.
Above all, it reminds us that when a woman wins two Olympic gold medals, that should be the only news that matters. The rest is background noise that deserves no space or attention.
As Lollobrigida herself said referring to the victory of her colleague Federica Brignone:
Federica’s victory thrilled me. You can take inspiration or not, but you shouldn’t criticize so heavily.
Here’s the way: support each other, celebrate successes, create a culture of respect. Because champions like Francesca Lollobrigida deserve to be remembered for their sporting exploits, not for the sterile controversies that others have chosen to fuel.
