Cross-country skiing: Italy's 2-time WC-medal winner calls time on his career

Italy's cross country skiing star Francesco De Fabiani is calling time on his career. The 32-year old mainstay of the Italian national team told the skiing world about his decision with an emotional post on social media.

- The time has come to stop. After many years which I've used to follow my dreams while on skis, while travelling, working hard, suffering, rejoicing, falling and getting back up, I've decided to end my career as an athlete, De Fabiani wrote on his Instagram account.

De Fabiani had a meteoric rise into Italy's star names in cross-country skiing in his youth, winning twice in the U23 World Cup in 2015. His solitary win at the adult level in the World Cup came in the Lahti 15km interval start classic in 2015.

Known for his explosive finishes, the Italian was especially dangerous in mass start races, in which he received a multitude of podium finishes.

At major competitions De Fabiani managed to grab himself two World Championship medals, both coming in team sprints in 2023 and 2019. There were also 3 Olympic appearances without medals, but sadly he didn't manage to earn himself a spot for his home Olympics in 2026 at Milano-Cortina.

In individual races his best finish was 8th place in the 2022 Beijing Olympics skiathlon. The Italian admitted that calling time on his skiing career wasn't an easy decision to make.

- Cross-country skiing has been my life for a long time. It's given me everything: massive emotions, friendships, journeys, wins, losses, medals, disappointments, unforgettable days and some that I'd rather forget.

- I've tried to keep the fire burning and finding new motivation, strength and lightness, which are required to compete at this level. But at some point there comes a time when you have to have the bravery to listen to yourself. Today I feel that this is the right time in my life to put this chapter to bed.

Source: Instagram