Italian alpine skier Irene Sinner and Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin were among the world’s top winter athletes honored at the Quirinale Palace in Rome on Wednesday, where President Sergio Mattarella recognized Italy’s record-breaking performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and 2024 Milan-Cortina Games. The ceremony, attended by 120 medalists, marked the first time in a decade that Italy’s winter sports delegation received a presidential reception.

The event followed Italy’s National Olympic Committee (CONI) announcement that the country’s winter athletes secured 24 medals at Milan-Cortina 2024—including 13 golds—the most ever won by an Italian team at a single Winter Olympics. Sinner, who won three gold medals in Beijing and added two more in Milan-Cortina, was presented with a special commendation for her dominance in alpine skiing.

Why This Ceremony Matters: Italy’s Winter Sports Renaissance

The Quirinale ceremony underscored Italy’s emergence as a winter sports powerhouse, a shift that began with Sinner’s breakthrough in 2021. Her five Olympic golds (three in Beijing, two in Milan-Cortina) now make her the most decorated Italian Winter Olympian ever, surpassing Giorgio Di Centa, who won four golds in speed skating across two Games.

For comparison, no other country has matched Italy’s medal haul in alpine skiing at a single Winter Olympics. The 13 golds at Milan-Cortina 2024—nine in alpine events—exceeded even the 12 golds won by Norway in 2018, according to International Olympic Committee (IOC) records. The success has been driven by Italy’s home advantage, with Milan-Cortina hosting events in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a village where Sinner trains year-round.

Key Moments: Sinner, Shiffrin, and the American-Italian Connection

While Sinner dominated the alpine events, Mikaela Shiffrin, the American star who holds the record for most World Cup wins in women’s alpine skiing (82 as of May 2024), was also honored. Shiffrin, who won two silver medals in Beijing and one bronze in Milan-Cortina, has deep ties to Italy: her father, Jeff Shiffrin, is Italian-American, and she has trained in Italy since childhood.

Shiffrin’s presence at the ceremony highlighted the growing transatlantic rivalry in alpine skiing, a sport where Italy now leads the medal table at both the Olympic and World Championship levels. In contrast, the United States ranked third in Milan-Cortina medals, behind Norway, according to IOC standings.

What the Numbers Show: Italy’s Alpine Dominance

Source: International Olympic Committee medal tables

How This Changes the Sport: A Shift in Alpine Skiing’s Power Structure

Italy’s success has forced a reckoning in alpine skiing, where Austria and Switzerland long held sway. The country’s home advantage in Milan-Cortina—combined with Sinner’s unmatched consistency—has reshaped the sport’s hierarchy. For context, Italy had never won more than eight medals at a single Winter Olympics before 2022, according to CONI historical records.

The ceremony also served as a prelude to the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, which Italy will host in Courchevel, France (with Italian venues like Val di Fassa and Cortina d’Ampezzo also on the schedule). Sinner, now 24 years old, is expected to remain a dominant force, while Shiffrin will look to add to her three Olympic medals in 2026 at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games, which Italy will co-host.

What’s Next: Sinner’s Post-Olympic Plans and Shiffrin’s 2024-25 Season

Irene Sinner has not yet announced her plans for the 2024-25 World Cup season, but her agent, Andrea Zanon, told FIS Ski that she remains focused on defending her titles in the slalom and giant slalom. Meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin is preparing for the 2024-25 season, which begins with the World Cup opener in Sölden, Austria, on October 26 (local time; UTC+2).

Shiffrin’s next major competition will be the 2024 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel, running from February 5–17, 2025. Italy’s hosting role—shared with France—will put additional pressure on Sinner, who will aim to add to her four World Championship golds (two in 2021, two in 2023).

How Fans Can Follow: Official Updates and Key Dates

For real-time updates on Sinner and Shiffrin’s performances:

• FIS Ski – Official World Cup and Championship results
• IOC Medal Tables – Updated standings for Milan-Cortina 2024
• CONI Official Site – Italian team news and schedules

The next major event in alpine skiing is the 2024 World Cup final in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, on March 16–17, 2025. Sinner and Shiffrin are expected to compete for overall titles, with Shiffrin chasing her fourth World Cup title (she won in 2017, 2019, and 2023).

Key Takeaways

• Italy’s 24 medals in Milan-Cortina 2024—the most ever by an Italian team at a Winter Olympics—marked a historic shift in global winter sports.
• Irene Sinner’s five Olympic golds now make her Italy’s most decorated Winter Olympian, surpassing Giorgio Di Centa’s record.
• Mikaela Shiffrin’s presence at the ceremony highlighted the deepening rivalry between Italy and the U.S. in alpine skiing.
• Italy’s home advantage in Milan-Cortina and Sinner’s dominance have reshaped the sport’s power structure.
• The 2025 World Championships in Courchevel will be a key test for both athletes as they prepare for 2026 in Milan-Cortina.