Matteo Rizzo: “I know I can compete to be in the top ten at the Olympics. Podium? Let’s say no. It’s important to keep your feet on the ground. As a team, though, it’s absolutely possible; the statistics are on our side.”
Matteo Rizzo reflects on his journey to qualifying for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
original source: mitomorrow.it dd. 30th January 2026 by Manuela Sicuro
Italian figure skater Matteo Rizzo reflects on his journey to qualifying for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, sharing insights on his growth, recent achievements, and hopes for competing at home. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Mi Tomorrow.
Q: After a challenging year, you clinched your spot at Milano Cortina 2026 with a champion’s move and a silver at the recent European Championships in Sheffield. Can you tell us what happened?
Matteo Rizzo: I had a first part of the season packed with competitions. By the time I reached the Italian Nationals in December, I had already competed in eight events, which is a lot for us. We made this choice after reading the federation’s qualification rules for the Olympics. We wanted to do as many competitions as possible, but I ended up a bit stuck, spending little time at home to really train.
Q What changed after that?
Matteo Rizzo: After the Italian Nationals, we had time to do great work with the team. At the Europeans, I felt well-trained, ready to achieve a good result, and above all, to try to secure this Olympic spot, which was crucial for me.
Q: Did you ever stop believing?
Matteo Rizzo: No, never, because once you stop believing in what you can do, you’ll never achieve it. Deep down, I always worked with the hope of going to the Olympics; having strong motivation is essential. There were many factors that pushed me to challenge myself, maybe more than ever at 27, which is already considered an advanced age in our sport.
Q: You’ve participated in two Winter Olympics, in 2018 and 2022. What was that experience like?
Matteo Rizzo: The last one was during Covid, and we experienced it in a very unique way from every perspective. At my first Olympics, eight years ago, I was very young and had a different spirit. Now, my third Olympics will be at home, and it will be something unrepeatable.
Q: Your great result at the Europeans is positive for the whole figure skating movement. In addition to your silver, we have Lara Naki Gutmann’s bronze and the silver from veterans Guignard–Fabbri. All of you will be at the Olympics.
Matteo Rizzo: The entire four-year period leading up to these Olympics has been positive for Italian figure skating, especially after this last European Championships. These are injections of positivity that you carry with you in the weeks before the event, but as soon as it starts, the focus will be at its peak.
Q: A year ago, you pointed out the pair Charlene Guignard–Marco Fabbri as Italians to watch for these Games. Do you still agree?
Matteo Rizzo: Yes, they are definitely an important pair in our movement because they have been competing at the highest level for many years, with European and World victories. I think these Olympics will mark an important part of their careers. There will be extraordinary support and cheering, and it’s important to be aware that this will have an impact.
Q: Can the home crowd be a help or an added pressure?
Matteo Rizzo: It depends on how the athlete reacts. I’ve only competed once at home in a major event, at the 2018 World Championships in Milan, and I remember the crowd was incredible. I couldn’t even hear the music while skating because of the crowd’s energy, and it really fired me up. I hope it will be the same for these Games. There’s a saying in football that playing at home gives you an extra man on the field.
Q: What are your concrete goals for Milano Cortina 2026?
Matteo Rizzo: My goal is to perform well and cleanly, to show in competition all the work I do every day in training. In terms of numbers, I know I can compete to be in the top ten.
Q: Are you not talking about the podium?
Matteo Rizzo: Individually, let’s say no. It’s also important not to dream too much and to keep your feet on the ground, because that’s what ultimately lets you enjoy the competition. As a team, though, it’s absolutely possible; the statistics are on our side. It will be a high-pressure event, and we skaters aren’t very used to competing as a team.
Q: From now on, how will you prepare for Milano Cortina 2026?
Matteo Rizzo: We have a preparation plan, and it will be very similar to what got me to the Europeans, since the timing is similar. The training will be very focused on finding quality and consistency.
Q: How did you get into this sport?
Matteo Rizzo: My parents made it easier for me. They were in dance and then became coaches. To be with them, I put on skates from a young age. As I grew, I tried other sports, but at 12, I chose skating for life.
Q: What does skating mean to you?
Matteo Rizzo: That’s a good question. Over the years, my perspective has changed. Today, skating means fun to me. Especially at these last Europeans, I enjoyed every single moment, and it was truly wonderful. Over time, skating has been just work and freedom, but now it’s definitely fun.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to take up this sport and will be watching you at the Olympics?
Matteo Rizzo: The first thing I’d say is that our sport isn’t easy. You need excellent preparation, and at first, there may be disappointing competitions, but you shouldn’t get discouraged. You have to keep going, because satisfaction can come later on.
Q: Where do you see yourself when you hang up your skates?
Matteo Rizzo: Ninety percent, I see myself at a rink coaching, helping young people who want to follow the same path I did. I hope I can pass on to them the passion I’ve had throughout all these years of my career.
Q: After a fall, on the ice or in life, what mindset should you have to get back up?
Matteo Rizzo: The first thing is to let go of the thought of the fall, because it’s essential to try again right away at what you were doing, so you don’t develop fears that can hold you back. That happened to me at these Europeans: in my first practice, I fell on a quadruple jump, got up, and immediately tried it again. It’s not the end of the world, and you can definitely rebuild something good.
Q: What is your greatest long-term wish, both on and off the ice?
Matteo Rizzo: To have the chance to do something good. I’m always grateful to the people who inspire me to do this. After these Europeans, I received and replied to a message from a young man who, during a dark period in his life, felt better by watching my performances. For us, it’s very moving to discover that our work can help someone without us even knowing it.”
Related topics: Matteo Rizzo, Olympic Games
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