by InTrieste
An 11-year-old boy from the Veneto region of northern Italy, who was forced to walk six kilometers home through a snowstorm after being denied bus service, has been invited to take part in the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The incident occurred on January 27, when Riccardo, a student from Vodo di Cadore, was returning home from school in Belluno province. Although he presented a booklet of standard bus tickets, he was asked to disembark from a Dolomiti Bus service because he did not pay the newly introduced “Olympic fare,” a temporary surcharge that increased the cost of a single trip from €2.50 to €10 during the Games, as local news outlet Corriere del Veneto reported.
Left at a bus stop in San Vito di Cadore as temperatures dropped to -3°C, Riccardo began the long trek home on foot. Carrying two heavy backpacks—one for school and another for gym class—he navigated an unplowed cycle path amid falling snow. He arrived home nearly two hours later, exhausted and showing signs of mild hypothermia.
“He came back with purple lips and wet jeans up to his thighs,” his mother, Sole Vatalano, told local media. “He was crying and frozen.”
Complaint Filed After Incident
The episode drew national attention after local reports detailed that Riccardo had walked home in freezing conditions despite holding valid standard tickets. His family reported that he suffered mild hypothermia, with a recorded body temperature of 35°C, and required a day of rest before returning to school. The child’s grandmother, represented by lawyer Chiara Balbinot, filed a formal complaint for abandonment of a minor against the bus company and the driver involved, arguing that the situation could have been avoided.
Dolomiti Bus confirmed it had launched an internal investigation, reached out to the family, and suspended the driver pending the outcome. The company emphasized its commitment to safety and responsible service and acknowledged the case raised broader concerns about fare enforcement and communication with passengers, particularly children, in complex or variable ticketing systems.
From Ordeal to Olympic Invitation
In a move to turn the ordeal into a moment of recognition, the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation invited Riccardo to take part in a symbolic role during the opening ceremony on February 6 at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Riccardo, a member of a local junior ski team, was reportedly overjoyed.
“I have never seen him so happy,” his mother said. “It is the most beautiful gift they could have given him.”
The story has also reignited debate over the “Olympic fare” policy. Introduced to support increased bus services during the Games, the surcharge has drawn criticism from residents in the Veneto region, who say they are being unfairly affected by a global event in their backyard. Local transport authorities have indicated that they will review the pricing structure for residents in response to the backlash.
