Italian curling sensation Stefania Constantini, who captured the hearts of a nation by winning the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics alongside teammate Amos Mosaner, is now preparing for what she calls the “biggest and most emotional challenge” of her career — competing on home ice at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The upcoming Games will be a homecoming in every sense for the 26-year-old, as her hometown of Cortina d'Ampezzo, nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, will co-host the event for the first time since 1956. Constantini’s 2022 victory not only brought unprecedented visibility to curling in Italy, a sport still relatively niche compared to skiing or hockey, but also turned her into a symbol of determination and national pride.
As the host nation, Italy is automatically qualified for all curling events, allowing Constantini and Mosaner to focus entirely on refining their strategies and perfecting their teamwork. Their reunion earlier this year after a brief hiatus quickly bore fruit — in May, they clinched the World Mixed Doubles Championship, reaffirming their dominance on the international stage.
Constantini has described the feeling of returning to her roots as “surreal,” noting that unlike Beijing 2022, where pandemic restrictions kept stands empty, this time she will have the roar of local fans, friends, and family urging her on in every match. The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are expected to draw record crowds for curling in Italy, with the Cortina Ice Stadium set to be one of the most atmospheric venues of the Games.
For Constantini, the tournament is more than a sporting event — it is a celebration of her journey from a young girl sliding stones in local leagues to standing on the top step of the Olympic podium. With her trademark precision, unshakable focus, and the emotional lift of competing in familiar surroundings, Constantini is determined to inspire the next generation of Italian athletes while aiming for yet another golden finish in front of a home crowd.
