MILAN -- Italian veteran Francesca Lollobrigida broke the Olympic record in the women's 3,000m speed skating event to win her first Olympic gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Games on Saturday.

Competing in her fourth Winter Olympics, Lollobrigida celebrated her 35th birthday by securing host nation's first gold of the Games with a time of three minutes and 54.28 seconds, 2.65 seconds faster than the previous record set by Irene Schouten of the Netherlands in Beijing four years ago.

"This is the best day ever, a perfect day. First of all, because my son, my husband and my family were here watching me," said Lollobrigida. "It's incredible, because we are in Italy. The Olympics are in Italy. This is the dream of my dreams."

Having previously finished fourth in the 5,000m, third in the mass start, and second in the 3,000m at Beijing 2022, Lollobrigida finally broke through by defeating title favorite and reigning world champion Joy Beune of the Netherlands, who finished fourth in 3:58.12.

"The message I wanted to show is that I didn't choose between skating and being a mum," she added. "I stopped after my [silver] medal in Beijing, I was on the top of the world. I am really proud of myself that I came back [after giving birth]."

Ragne Wiklund of Norway took silver in 3:56.54, while Canada's Valerie Maltais claimed bronze with a time of 3:56.93.