An Olympian's Scrapbook: Nadia Mattivi

In 2019, Nadia Mattivi was lacing up for her first season with Boston University when the IOC announced that Italy, her home country, was hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics. As the host country, Italy received an automatic bid into the women's hockey tournament. Mattivi would have the next seven years to prepare and earn a coveted opportunity to represent her home country on home soil in Olympics.

Mattivi has been a huge part of Team Italy's defensive core since her youth. She served as the U18 captain for three World Junior Championships while simultaneously playing for their senior national team where she was also an assistant captain. Mattivi set her sights on Division I NCAA hockey and became the first European player to sign with Boston University. Mattivi's leadership transcended borders when she became the Terriers' captain for her final two seasons.

In a 2022 IIHF interview, Mattivi commented about playing for a team with rich history: "Every time I play, I look at my jersey and I’m speechless. That’s a great honour. Knowing that Poulin and Wakefield wore that same ‘C’ on their jerseys is definitely incredible."

Mattivi is currently on season two with Luleå HF in the SDHL. Last season she was 13th in total points, the highest of all defenders, top three overall in assists and is on similar pace this season. There's no doubt she's ready for the challenge of making her Olympic debut on home turf.

Debuting as an Olympian is an experience only a sliver of a fragment of the human population will experience. Only around 3,000 athletes will compete in the Milano Cortina Olympics. Every interviewer and fan wants to know what it's like

The Olympian's Scrapbook gives us a glimpse into the moments first-time Olympians find memorable. Perhaps it's part of their journey, an 'am I actually here?' moment, pictures from the venue or something that simply stuck. A short caption directly from the player accompanies each photo describing its personal importance.

For the first edition, Mattivi shares with The Ice Garden via text, three photos connected to her journey leading up to the games.

NM: Seeing the Milano Cortina banner in my hometown sparked something deep in me. Competing in the Olympics is extraordinary on its own, but doing it at home is a rare privilege only a few athletes ever experience. To compete just a few kilometers from where I grew up is a feeling beyond words. Few athletes ever get to chase an Olympic dream where it all began. I don’t take that lightly.

NM: Injuries are part of an athlete’s journey, and this one changed mine. After fracturing my hand two months ago, I had surgery that forced me to slow down and rebuild. Three weeks ago, I was back competing. This scar is a reminder of something that made me stronger and better prepared for what’s ahead. You always learn something from injuries.

NM: Seeing the Olympic rings light up for the first time in Rome a month ago was incredible. It made me realize just how close the Games are and how fast they’re approaching. Trying to soak in every day and every moment along the way.

To conclude, we asked her one final question.

TIG: What do you want the world to know about Team Italy women's hockey going into the tournament?"

NM: We've always said we want to shock the world and show just how much talent there is in Italy, that we belong among the top-ranked teams. We're coming in with the responsibility of making that statement. At the same time, we're the underdogs, and that gives us the freedom to play our game and let our hockey speak for itself.

Team Italy kicks off their tournament against other Olympic newcomer, Team France, on February 5th at 8:40 AM EST.