Italy's Lollobrigida wins second gold at Milan-Cortina Games in women's 5,000m speed skating

MILAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida claimed her second Olympic gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games here on Thursday as she edged Merel Conijn of the Netherlands by 0.10 seconds to win the women's 5,000m speed skating race.

"I'm feeling amazing. For me, it was important because last year I won the world title in this distance," said Lollobrigida. "To repeat myself again with the Olympic title is a dream."

Having captured the 3,000m title on Saturday, the 35-year-old Italian skater continued her favorable form in the women's longest distance, crossing the line in six minutes and 46.17 seconds. Conijn took silver in 6:46.27, while the bronze medal went to Norway's Ragne Wiklund, who finished 0.07 seconds further behind.

Conijn, who was competing in her first Olympics, was content with the silver medal.

"The top four was so close. I am very happy, because one second slower, it could have been bronze and with two seconds slower, it could have been fourth. So I'm very happy with silver," said the 24-year-old. "To go home with a medal is very special. Deep inside, I knew it was possible."

"It means a lot. But I think when I try to put it into words, I will cry my eyes out," she added.

Starting with Lollobrigida in the sixth and last pair, two-time Olympic 5,000m champion Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic, who had missed the women's 3,000m competition due to a virus infection, placed 11th among the 12 participants.

"It was so hard. I cried before the start," the 38-year-old six-time Olympian said. "I lied for four days in bed."

"I know a lot of people from the Czech Republic and my fans are here, so I had to do what I could and come here," she added. "I am very proud of myself. I want to thank my team and my family." ■