Today marked the awarding of the first set of medals at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with Swiss athlete Franjo von Allmen claiming gold in the men's speed skiing event. Von Allmen finished with a time of 1:51.61, showcasing a powerful performance that allowed him to secure first place after starting the race in fourth. His impressive finish not only earned him the top spot but also provided Switzerland with its first medal of the games.

Italian skiers Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris finished second and third respectively, opening Italy's medal tally at the Olympics. Franzoni crossed the line just 0.2 seconds behind Von Allmen, while Paris was 0.5 seconds off the pace. The involvement of Italian athletes in the top positions highlights the competitive nature of the event, particularly on home turf as they strive to perform well in front of local supporters.

Notably absent from the podium was Marco Odermatt, a leading skier from Switzerland and considered one of the best in recent seasons, who finished in fourth place, 0.7 seconds behind Von Allmen. The results indicate a competitive field, with other notable finishes from Alexis Money from Switzerland and Vincent Kriechmayr from Austria, suggesting an exciting continuation for the skiing events in these Olympics.