"It doesn't necessarily have to always work, work, work. It's good to have some fun," said Fontana, who began inline skating at the age of four in Sondrio, Italy.

"For me, being on the ice with younger athletes, not just racing, but also training, it's really motivating. And I know for other skaters, when I'm on the ice with them, they think the same."

Another major motivation, or perhaps the biggest one, is the companionship of her husband and coach Anthony Lobello, for whom Fontana fought against her own sports federation.

In July 2020, during the build-up to Beijing 2022, Fontana decided to relocate to Hungary and train there with Lobello, after her proposal of bringing him into the national coaching team was denied by the Italian Ice Sports Federation.

Andrea Gios, president of the federation, told Discovery+ in December that Fontana will have the federation's full support in chasing her dual-discipline Olympic ambition, alleviating tension between the federation and its biggest star.

"We are eagerly looking forward to seeing whether she can succeed in this challenge. As far as I know, she will make it. This is sports, and she's interpreted it in the best way," Gios said.

Lobello was seen in Beijing over the past weekend shouting loudly from the sideline and looking after Fontana everywhere she went.

"She is the best person. That's why we are partners on and off the ice. Best athlete in the world, and best wife in the world," said Lobello, a former short-track skater who represented the United States at Turin 2006, before switching allegiances to race for Italy at Sochi 2014.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn