In just six months, the Winter Olympics will return to the picturesque Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, co-hosting with Milan in a celebration of sport and Italian pride. For hometown hero Stefania Constantini, the 2026 Games hold special meaning—not just as a defending Olympic champion, but as a chance to showcase her beloved village to the world.
“Cortina is a little village, but it’s huge for me,” the 26-year-old curler told Reuters. “When the Olympics come, people will see world-class sport in a truly beautiful place. It will be unforgettable.”
Constantini made history at the 2022 Beijing Games, teaming up with Amos Mosaner to win Italy’s first-ever Olympic curling gold in mixed doubles. The victory transformed her life overnight. “Before China, I was just a normal girl working part-time and playing curling,” she recalled. “Then, in one week, we went from nobody to national heroes.”
The win also sparked newfound interest in curling across Italy, a country where the sport remains niche. “Now, Italians follow us, cheer for us—it’s amazing to see,” she said.
As hosts, Italy automatically qualifies for all three curling events, and Constantini is eager to compete in front of a home crowd. “In Beijing, it was just me, my sport, and my team—no distractions,” she said. “But in Cortina, my family, friends, and fans will be there. It’ll be weird… but incredible.”
After a three-year hiatus, Constantini reunited with Mosaner this year, quickly reclaiming their dominance by winning the world championship in May. “We didn’t practice much, but our chemistry was still there,” she said with a laugh. Now, all eyes are on them to deliver another golden moment for Italy—this time, on home soil.
With the Olympics fast approaching, Cortina’s quiet charm is set to collide with global attention. And for Constantini, the chance to inspire the next generation of Italian curlers makes the journey even sweeter.