Italian speedskater Andrea Giovannini uses Steph Curry's 'Night night' after Olympic upset of US
Stephen Curry’s signature celebration has officially transcended the hardwood, landing emphatically on the icy tracks of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. In a stunning upset on Tuesday, Italian speedskater Andrea Giovannini anchored his team to a gold medal in the men’s team pursuit, defeating the heavily favored United States trio. As Giovannini crossed the finish line at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium, he didn’t just raise his arms in triumph; he pressed his gloved hands to the side of his head, delivering Curry’s world-famous "Night Night" gesture to the roaring home crowd.
The moment was a calculated homage to the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter. Giovannini revealed that the celebration was premeditated, directly inspired by Curry’s heroics during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Watching Curry seal the gold medal for Team USA against France with a flurry of late three-pointers left a lasting mark on the Italian skater. "It was emblematic of having cold blood," Giovannini told reporters after the medal ceremony. "I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph." The tribute served as the exclamation point on a historic performance, as Italy clocked a time of 3:39.20 to edge out the American world-record holders—Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran—by a commanding 4.51 seconds.
The irony of using an American icon’s move to punctuate a victory over the United States was not lost on the spectators, though the American skaters took the loss with professional grace. Lehman noted that the gesture was preferable to the hostility faced in previous Games, acknowledging the global sports culture that Curry now dominates. For the NBA, this moment underscores the league's massive international footprint. Curry’s "Night Night" has evolved from a 2022 playoff taunt into a universal signal of victory, utilized by athletes ranging from soccer stars to Olympic champions.
While the Golden State Warriors prepare for their post-All-Star break push, their franchise cornerstone continues to influence competition worldwide. Giovannini’s tribute confirms that whether on the parquet floor of the Chase Center or the ice of Milan, the "Night Night" remains the ultimate closer's signal.
The moment was a calculated homage to the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter. Giovannini revealed that the celebration was premeditated, directly inspired by Curry’s heroics during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Watching Curry seal the gold medal for Team USA against France with a flurry of late three-pointers left a lasting mark on the Italian skater. "It was emblematic of having cold blood," Giovannini told reporters after the medal ceremony. "I was just waiting for that finish line to emulate Steph." The tribute served as the exclamation point on a historic performance, as Italy clocked a time of 3:39.20 to edge out the American world-record holders—Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman, and Ethan Cepuran—by a commanding 4.51 seconds.
The irony of using an American icon’s move to punctuate a victory over the United States was not lost on the spectators, though the American skaters took the loss with professional grace. Lehman noted that the gesture was preferable to the hostility faced in previous Games, acknowledging the global sports culture that Curry now dominates. For the NBA, this moment underscores the league's massive international footprint. Curry’s "Night Night" has evolved from a 2022 playoff taunt into a universal signal of victory, utilized by athletes ranging from soccer stars to Olympic champions.
While the Golden State Warriors prepare for their post-All-Star break push, their franchise cornerstone continues to influence competition worldwide. Giovannini’s tribute confirms that whether on the parquet floor of the Chase Center or the ice of Milan, the "Night Night" remains the ultimate closer's signal.
