MILAN — The Team USA speed skaters who lost the gold medal to the Italians in men’s team pursuit did not see the taunt that went viral shortly after the race at the 2026 Winter Olympics Tuesday, Feb. 17 .
One of the Italians did the Steph Curry night-night celebration, as Team Italy put the American silver medalists to bed.
“No, we didn’t see that,’’ said Emery Lehman, who skated in the semifinals and final. But, he added with a laugh, “It’s better than getting two middle fingers from the Russians four years ago.’’
Lehman was referring to the 2022 Olympics, when Russian skater Daniil Dldoshkin extended both of his middle fingers after his team beat the United States in the semifinals of team pursuit.
Casey Dawson, another member of the U.S. team, said of the Italians’ Curry-inspired taunt, “Hey, they’re celebrating. They put in the work. Good for them.’’
It was a classy response from the Americans amid a crushing defeat. The three U.S. men have worked together for the past seven years in hopes of eventually becoming Olympic gold medalists. And they were the team to beat as the Milano Cortina Winter Games began.
But it all ended in defeat during an eight-lap race around the 400-meter track at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Punctuated by the Steph Curry celebration as imitated by Italian speed skater Andrea Giovannini.
‘I’m a super fan of the NBA,’’ Giovannini later told reporters. “I love all the sports, but a lot of the NBA. Yesterday I told my roommate, ‘If I win tomorrow, I will make the night night.’
‘I did it, and I enjoyed it. Mainly because I’m a super fan of the NBA and Steph Curry.’
Perhaps it was mere coincidence when Ethan Cepuran, the third member of the U.S. team, arrived at a post-event press conference looking exhausted and said, “Just looking forward to a nap.’’