Sixteen-year-old Giada D’Antonio, Italy’s youngest competitor at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, underwent successful surgery Tuesday to reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee. The operation was performed at the “La Madonnina” clinic in Milan by doctors Andrea Panzeri and Gabriele Thiebat of the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) medical commission.
D’Antonio sustained the injury during a giant slalom training run in Dobbiaco on February 14th, just days before she was scheduled to compete in the slalom event at the Olympics. She had already participated in the team alpine combined competition.
According to FISI, the surgical procedure was completed without complications. D’Antonio will begin physiotherapy immediately, with the goal of returning to competitive skiing next season. Dr. Panzeri previously operated on Federica Brignone, a prominent Italian skier who competed at the Winter Games.
The injury occurred during a training session, as reported by multiple sources, and prompted swift medical attention. The surgery was scheduled quickly following the diagnosis of a severe knee injury.
D’Antonio, representing San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, had been viewed as a rising star in Italian alpine skiing. Her participation in the Olympics, despite her young age, highlighted her potential within the national team.
