American speedskater Mia Manganello saved her best for last.
Manganello, in her final race at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, had her big Olympic moment Saturday when she captured the bronze medal in the women’s mass start.
She finished behind the Netherlands’ Marijke Groenewoud, who won gold, and Canada’s Ivanie Blondin, who narrowly edged out Manganello to win silver.
Bronze medalist Mia Manganello celebrates after the Speed Skating Women’s Mass Start final on day fifteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Getty ImagesManganello’s bronze medal is the 36-year-old’s first individual medal in three Olympic appearances. She also won bronze in the women’s team pursuit in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
It’s also the U.S. women’s only speedskating medal of these Winter Games.
Manganello came close to earning a spot on the podium before Saturday in the women’s mass start. She finished in fourth at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Bronze medalist Mia Manganello celebrates after earning bronze on February 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto/Shutterstock2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
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Last year, Manganello won her first International Skating Union World Cup mass start race.
This is expected to be Manganello’s last professional race before she enters retirement.
She’ll leave the sport as an Olympic bronze medalist.
