At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Steph Curry clinched a gold medal for Team USA with an iconic performance.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, his presence could still be felt.
After helping secure a stunning upset over America’s world record-holders to win gold in the men’s team pursuit, Italian speedskater Andrea Giovannini broke out Curry’s signature “night, night” celebration against Team USA, placing his white-gloved hands against his head to declare the event was over.
“The last lap, we were in control,” said Giovannini, who watched the Warriors superstar’s incredible shooting spree. “And I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph.
“[It’s] emblematic of having cold blood.”
Days earlier, Giovannini revealed his planned celebration to teammate Francesco Betti, his Olympic roommate.
“It happened,” Giovannini said. “I was worried I would forget.”
The Americans (Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran) — who captured bronze in the event in 2022, then set the world record in November — led early, but the Italians stole momentum late in front of their home crowd, defeating Team USA by 4 1/2 seconds to win the country’s first gold medal in the event in 20 years.
Italy’s Davide Ghiotto did not see Giovannini’s celebration, but wouldn’t have understood it anyway, admitting he didn’t know who Curry was.
The American team didn’t see it either — but they’ve seen worse.
“It’s better than getting two middle fingers from the Russians four years ago, ” Lehman said.
