(C) Save the Storks

MILANO — In the world of elite sports, there was once an unspoken rule: motherhood signaled the end of a competitive career. However, at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, a group of extraordinary women is shattering that glass ceiling, proving that raising a family and reaching the podium are not mutually exclusive.

Leading the charge is Italy’s own Francesca Lollobrigida. On February 8th—coincidentally her 35th birthday—Lollobrigida delivered a historic performance that set the home crowd on fire. Competing in the women’s 3,000m speed skating event, she clocked an Olympic record time of 3:54.28, securing Italy’s first gold medal of the games and becoming the first Italian woman ever to win Olympic gold in speed skating.

The Strength of a Mother's Promise
The victory was made even more poignant as she celebrated with her three-year-old son, Tommaso. Holding him tight while flashing her gold medal, Lollobrigida reflected on the grueling journey back to the ice.

"I wanted to show that you can come back even stronger after becoming a mother," she said. "This medal isn't just for me; it’s for my son, who I hope will be proud of me one day."

She admitted that balancing the roles of a mother and a world-class athlete was a daunting challenge. "There were moments I thought about quitting because I didn't want to disappoint anyone in my home country. But the support of those who believed in me—and even the doubt from those who didn't—gave me the strength to prove what is possible."

 
A Global Movement of 'Super Moms'
Lollobrigida is not alone. The 2026 Games are featuring an unprecedented number of "Super Moms" who are redefining the peak years of an athlete's career.

Rachel Homan (Canada) | Curling
The 37-year-old skip of the Canadian women’s curling team is a mother of three. Homan has famously balanced high-stakes competition with pregnancy; in 2021, while eight months pregnant with her second child, she led her team to a silver medal at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She returned to the ice for a Grand Slam event less than a month after giving birth.

"My children know their mom is trying to be the best in the world," Homan said. "When things get tough on the ice, I touch the necklace with their initials. They are my motivation to be a role model."

Elana Meyers Taylor (USA) | Bobsled
At 42, Taylor is making her fifth Olympic appearance. Beyond her five Olympic medals, she is a mother to two children with special needs: six-year-old Nico, who has Down syndrome, and four-year-old Noah, who is hearing impaired.

"I want to provide hope to parents raising children with disabilities," Taylor shared. "There is light at the end of the tunnel." Despite her storied career, she is still chasing her first Olympic gold, fueled by a purpose far greater than personal glory.

Cassie Sharpe (Canada) | Freestyle Skiing
The 2018 PyeongChang gold medalist in the halfpipe is seeking a return to the top after giving birth to her daughter, Lou, three years ago. After taking silver in Beijing, Sharpe says her perspective has shifted entirely. "I don't just think about myself anymore. My life has changed, and everything I do now is about what Lou needs and how I can help her."

 
A New Paradigm in Sports
The success of these athletes marks a shift in the sports world, where improved support systems, better physical therapy, and a changing cultural narrative are allowing women to extend their careers. These women are proving that the resilience, time-management, and emotional depth gained through motherhood can actually be a competitive advantage.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, these stories of grit and maternal love are resonating far beyond the ice and snow, inspiring a new generation to believe that they truly can have it all.