Italian Skier Turns Grief Into Olympic Silver Medal

When Giovanni Franzoni crossed the finish line at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, he carried more than just the weight of a silver medal. He carried the memory of his late friend Matteo Franzoso and the scars of an injury that nearly ended his career.

The 24-year-old Italian skier won silver in the men's downhill in Bormio, missing gold by just two-tenths of a second. His breakthrough season included World Cup victories in Kitzbuehel and Wengen, cementing his place among Alpine skiing's rising stars.

But his path to the podium was anything but smooth. Three years ago, a serious injury forced Franzoni into months of grueling rehabilitation that tested his commitment to the sport. Then last year, he lost his close friend and teammate Matteo Franzoso in a training crash that shook the entire Alpine skiing community.

Standing with his medal, Franzoni told Reuters that the loss didn't break him. Instead, it gave him unexpected strength to push through the darkest moments of his recovery.

"Especially on the bad days, I use that energy to push harder, to push myself to the limit, to fight within myself and try to do my best every day, not only for me, but also for him," Franzoni said. He regularly dedicates his results to his late friend.

The months of daily rehabilitation taught him something beyond physical recovery. Franzoni credits the discipline required during rehab, doing the work even when motivation faded, as the foundation of his winning mindset.

Why This Inspires

Franzoni's story reminds us that our greatest setbacks can become our greatest teachers. His grief didn't paralyze him; it gave him perspective and purpose that propels him forward every day.

The tragedy also made him deeply empathetic to others facing similar loss. When asked about a Ukrainian skeleton athlete disqualified for displaying images of fallen compatriots, Franzoni simply said, "I know how it is to lose a teammate."

On the mountain, Franzoni still races for pure joy, flying down slopes at over 140 kilometers per hour. "I love the speed. I love to be free down the course," he said, his face lighting up with a broad smile under his signature mop of curly dark hair.

He admits that fear was real at first, especially on legendary courses like Bormio and Wengen. But training brought confidence, and now the speed that once scared him thrills him.

The silver medal hasn't satisfied his hunger. Franzoni came achingly close to gold in three events, missing the podium in team combined and super-G by single mistakes. He's competing in the giant slalom this Saturday with a clear message about his future.

"I'm hungry, really hungry for more."