Arianna Fontana won Italy's first gold medal of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang with victory in the 500 metres short track speed skating on Tuesday.
The skater, Italy's flagbearer at the Games opening ceremony, beat the Netherlands' Yara Van Kerkhof in a photofinish.
South Korea's Minjeong Choi, who set an Olympic record, was
disqualified but had already been beaten by Fontana.
It was Fontana's first Olympic gold after a silver and four
bronzes in previous Games.
"It has been a long journey, more beautiful than I had
imagined it," said Fontana after doing a lap of honour in tears,
draped in the Italian flag.
"It is a gold I had been hunting for years, a stupendous
sensation to cross the line ahead of the Korean on her home
ground.
"I want to thanks the CONI, the federation and my family, I
think my father must have had a heart attack
"I thank my husband Anthony and all those who supported me.
"I'm happy, because I beat the Korean, disqualification or
not".
Premier Paolo Gentiloni said Fontana had been "great".
Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovanni Malagò
said Fontana "won with confidence, personality and
determination".
"It was an impressive race, and winning something as a
flag-carrier is very important.
"You have to go back a good few years, to Lillehammer in
1994, with Deborah Compagnoni.
"It's my first winter gold, I'm really very happy," said the
CONI chief.
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