Mia Manganello Secures Bronze in Final Olympic Race: A Story of Perseverance and Triumph
American speedskater Mia Manganello secured a bronze medal in the women's mass start event at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, marking her final race. In a thrilling finish, Manganello surged in the last lap to claim a spot on the podium.
The gold medal in the event went to Marjike Groenewoud of the Netherlands, with Canada's Ivanie Blondin narrowly beating out Manganello to take the silver. This achievement marked Manganello's first individual medal in three Olympic appearances, following her bronze in the women's team pursuit at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Manganello's path to success was not straightforward, as she initially missed out on making the U.S. team for the Vancouver Games in 2010. She then transitioned to professional cycling before returning to speed skating in 2016, ultimately earning a spot on the U.S. team for the Pyeongchang Games and securing a bronze medal in the women's team pursuit.
Despite narrowly missing the podium in the 2022 Beijing Games, Manganello went on to win her first International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup mass start race in 2025. Her perseverance paid off in her final Olympic race, where she clinched the bronze medal.
Manganello's bronze medal marked the first speed skating medal for the U.S. women at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games. She was joined in the race by fellow American Greta Myers, who finished 12th and shared a heartfelt embrace with Manganello post-race.
With Manganello's medal, the United States' total medal count for the Olympic Games reached 31, surpassing Italy for the second most medals. Norway leads with 40 total medals. The achievement underscores Manganello's resilience and dedication to her sport.
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