When Italy shocked the world-record holding Americans in speedskating’s team pursuit, Andrea Giovannini had the perfect celebration ready – and it came straight from basketball’s biggest stage.
A Celebration Born in Paris
The moment Andrea Giovannini crossed the finish line at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, he knew exactly what to do. With Italy having just stunned the favored United States in the men’s team pursuit final, the Italian speedskater pulled his white-gloved hands together and pressed them to the side of his head. It was Steph Curry‘s signature ‘night night’ celebration, borrowed from basketball’s biggest stage and delivered with perfect timing on the ice.
Giovannini had been planning this moment for days. The celebration wasn’t spontaneous – it was calculated, inspired by watching Curry deliver the same gesture during the 2024 Paris Olympics basketball final. ‘The last lap, we were in control,’ Giovannini explained afterward, ‘and I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph.’
The Perfect Storm for an Upset
The setup couldn’t have been more dramatic. Team USA‘s trio of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran entered the race as overwhelming favorites. They’d won bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, set the world record just months earlier in November, and had been virtually unbeatable on the international stage.
But in front of a raucous home crowd at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, Italy‘s team of Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini, and Michele Malfatti had other plans. The Americans took an early lead, but the Italians found another gear in the final laps, ultimately winning by a crushing 4.5 seconds – an eternity in speedskating terms.
Cold Blood and Basketball Inspiration
For Giovannini, the celebration represented more than just showmanship. ‘Emblematic of having cold blood,’ he said, describing what Curry‘s gesture meant to him. He’d watched the Warriors superstar hit clutch three-pointers against France in the basketball final, sealing Team USA‘s gold medal with that iconic celebration.
The Italian had confided his plan to his Olympic roommate, speedskating teammate Francesco Betti, just days before the race. ‘It happened,’ Giovannini said with relief afterward. ‘I was worried I would forget.’ The execution was flawless – the margin of victory so large that he had plenty of time to savor the moment as he glided toward the finish line.
Lost in Translation
Not everyone on the Italian team understood the reference. Davide Ghiotto, one of Giovannini’s gold medal teammates, admitted he hadn’t even seen the celebration happen. More amusing still, he had no idea who Curry was. When told about his teammate’s basketball-inspired gesture, Ghiotto was genuinely puzzled by the whole thing.
Giovannini’s response was perfect: ‘Tonight we’ll watch a basketball game.’ It was a moment that highlighted the global reach of sports culture, where a basketball celebration from Paris could find new life on the speedskating oval in Milan.
American Perspective
The American team, still processing their unexpected silver medal, took the celebration in stride. They hadn’t even noticed Giovannini’s gesture in the moment, focused as they were on their own disappointment. But when told about it later, Emery Lehman couldn’t help but laugh.
‘It’s better than getting two middle fingers from the Russians four years ago,’ he said, referencing a less diplomatic celebration from a previous Olympics. The comment perfectly captured the sporting spirit – acknowledging that in the theater of Olympic competition, a little showmanship comes with the territory. For Italy, it marked their first gold in the event since Turin hosted the Winter Games 20 years ago, making the celebration all the sweeter.
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