Life is good right now for Thomas Nadalini, the recently crowned Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Short Track Speed Skating mixed relay champion, and men’s relay bronze medalist. 

Fresh from a month holidaying around the world, last season’s ISU Short Track Awards Most Improved Skater is enjoying being the toast of Italy. From meeting Pope Leo XIV to starring at the halftime of a recent basketball match, it has been a summer to remember so far.

Add on the pleasure of returning to the gym, plus the excitement of an upcoming trip to train with the powerful Canadian Short Track team, and it’s no wonder Nadalini’s diary oozes delight… 

Thomas Nadalini and Arianna Fontana celebrate after winning gold in the short track speed skating mixed team relay final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy  © Getty Images

Life as an Olympic champion

“I mean, we are not as famous as football players but it’s pretty cool. 

“I did get to meet the Pope. We went on a three-day trip to Rome and we met them all, the Pope, the president, the prime minister. We went everywhere, to the Vatican City, the Palazzo Chigi (the seat of the Italian government) and the Quirinale (the official residence of the Italian president). It was fun and my family was so excited. It’s not a thing that happens often. 

“I also got presented on the court at an Aquila Basket Trento game. That was so cool. I mean, it’s not the NBA but there’s NBA players there, the level is high still. That was really, really nice. 

“Also, in my hometown (Trento) people ask me, ‘Are you Thomas Nadalini? Can we take a picture?’. 

“Since the Olympic Games we get a lot of support and love from Italians in general, especially in small environments, like my hometown.

Thomas Nadalini meets the Pope © Thomas Nadalini

Nadalini and Nike tattoos 

“A lot of people asked me is that your tattoo and I am like, ‘Why would I tattoo my face on my body?’. That would be so crazy! 

“It’s my cousin, my first cousin. We grew up, we’ve got this special bond. His friend group is my friend group, and this was his way to show me how much he cares. He sees me as an inspiration, what I have achieved in my life up until now. 

“He kept it a secret and just showed me at an Olympic party. He was just like, ‘Watch this” and he took his trousers off and he’s got a tattoo of my face on his calf! 

“I mean, I did get an Olympic tattoo. I feel like the rings are mainstream. I did put them there but above them there’s Nike, the (Greek) goddess of victory. I felt like I could do that after the mixed relay gold.

Tattoo that Nadalini's cousin got on his calf © Thomas Nadalini's Instagram

A month off to travel, rest and party

“After a season like that, you need some rest. So, I forced myself to stay out of the sport for one month. 

“It was pretty hard because right in the moment (after the end of the season) I wanted to train again but then you start enjoying it. You stop thinking about training and what if I don’t train enough. 

“I’ve been to so many places. I went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I’ve been to Croatia, I’ve been to Spain, I’ve been to Hungary. I went to Ibiza too. It’s been fun. 

“I traveled with skaters, I traveled with my sister, I traveled with friends. I like to build the connections back again with people because during the season it’s pretty hard for us. 

“In the Dominican Republic I didn’t really do anything. I just wanted to be cuddled, cuddled by the sun. Sunbathing and drinking pina colada on the beach. 

“I went to Ibiza in mid-April with my sister for four, five days and I was surprised. People go there to party but it’s underrated. It’s so beautiful. You take the ferry to Formentera and it’s like paradise.

© Thomas Nadalini

Back to training… with the odd party

“I’m training now, once a day, sometimes twice. It depends what I am doing. Like Saturday, I went for a bike in the morning and I could have done something in the afternoon but instead I played beach volley with my friends. 

“I’m doing the gym and a lot of running, especially compared to other (pre-) seasons. So, I am not laying in my bed. 

“I don’t say no to a glass of wine, let’s put it that way. You go to these events, there’s wine, there’s people to chat to. It’s pretty cool. I have a wine sponsor too. 

“I think pretty much everybody in the skating environment knows I am a party guy. I always say it’s part of my preparation. For me, partying is as important as training. You don’t just want to train, you need to have fun too. It’s going to be a tough life if you don’t enjoy it.”

Next stop: training with the Canadian Short Track team

“I’m going to Montreal, Canada to train with the Canadians, mid-June to mid-July. 

“After the Olympic season I had a chance of getting experience because there’s no (Italian) training camp. So, we had a month free and this never happens. So, I was like ‘What can I do?’. 

“I needed some new stimulation, so I thought it would be cool. The Canadian team are strong, they’re good skaters, they’re good people, and I’m friends with them. 

“I’m not going there to steal secrets and stuff like that. But just to see how things are for them and to talk to them about what I do and what they do. Me and Will (William Dandjinou, the 2024 and 2025 ISU Short Track World Tour Crystal Globe winner), we’ve got a positive bond. We’re not envious or jealous about the other so I wouldn’t be scared of telling him what I do. I trust him. You give and you get, it’s win-win.

“Right now I am excited to go. I am not nervous but maybe when I start packing I will be.”