Italian Speedskater Delivers Steph Curry-Inspired 'Night Night' Taunt After Olympic Gold
In a dramatic and theatrical finish at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Italian speedskater Andrea Giovannini delivered a stunning victory over the United States in the men's team pursuit event—and capped it off with a celebration borrowed from NBA superstar Steph Curry. The Italian team, consisting of Giovannini, Davide Ghiotto, and Francesco Betti, defeated the world-record-holding American squad in front of an ecstatic home crowd on Wednesday, securing the gold medal in a performance that blended athletic excellence with playful bravado.
A Celebration with Cold Blood
Immediately after crossing the finish line, Giovannini raised his white-gloved hands to his head, mimicking Curry's iconic "night night" gesture—a taunt the Golden State Warriors guard popularized during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. "The last lap, we were in control," Giovannini explained in a post-race interview. "And I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph. It's emblematic of having cold blood."
The Italian skater revealed that he had planned the celebration days in advance, even confiding in his roommate and teammate Betti about his intentions. "I was worried I would forget," Giovannini admitted, highlighting the premeditated nature of the moment. His execution came after a comeback victory, as the Italians trailed early but surged ahead to win comfortably by 4.51 seconds over the American team of Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran.
Reactions from the Rink
Interestingly, not everyone on the ice was aware of the taunt. Ghiotto, Giovannini's teammate, admitted that he missed the celebration entirely and, when informed, confessed he didn't even know who Steph Curry was. On the American side, the skaters were similarly oblivious in the moment, but when asked about it afterward, Lehman offered a measured response. "It's better than getting two middle fingers from the Russians four years ago," he remarked, referencing a controversial incident from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
That previous event saw Russian speedskater Daniil Aldoshkin flash a double-bird salute after defeating the U.S. in the semifinals, an act he later apologized for, claiming it was an emotional reaction without malicious intent. In contrast, Giovannini's celebration was a calculated nod to pop culture, inspired by his experience watching Curry's heroics in Paris. The Italian's taunt, while cheeky, avoided the overt hostility of past incidents, instead blending sportsmanship with showmanship.
A Victory Forged in Strategy and Skill
The gold-medal race itself was a testament to the Italians' strategic prowess and endurance. Despite the U.S. team's world-record status, set just months prior in November, the home squad maintained composure under pressure, leveraging their familiarity with the course and crowd support to clinch the win. This victory not only adds to Italy's medal tally but also underscores the growing influence of cross-sport inspirations in Olympic celebrations.
As the Winter Games continue, moments like Giovannini's "night night" gesture remind audiences that athletics are as much about personality as they are about performance. In an era where social media amplifies every move, such celebrations can quickly go viral, adding layers of narrative to the competition. For now, the Italian speedskating team savors its golden moment, having put their opponents to bed—quite literally—with a gesture that bridges basketball and ice sports in unforgettable fashion.
