Louie Vito made history on the Olympic halfpipe stage, becoming the oldest snowboarder ever to compete in the event at 37 years old. Representing Italy in his third Olympic appearance, the Bellefontaine native delivered a clean first run before a fall on the opening trick of his second attempt prevented him from improving his score and led him to fall short of qualifying for the finals on Friday.
The Bellefontaine native burst onto the scene as a teenager in a growing sport that was gaining popularity with the emergence of the X Games. More than twenty years later, Vito continues to ride with the best, competing against athletes who once dreamed of being him when he made his Olympic debut in 2010.
Riding for team Italy in 2026 was always the goal for Louie. To compete at the Olympics, under the Italian flag, honors his family heritage and his grandparents’ roots.
Vito received chants from the crowd and appreciation from his fellow snowboarders. After his final run, both American athletes—Chase Josey and Jake Pates—waiting at the bottom of the pipe came over for a quick hug and a few words with the snowboarding legend.
Vito posted a 58.75 on Run 1, putting together a smooth and controlled performance. This was a run Louie never landed in practice, but he delivered on the big stage. Staying true to himself, Louie went for an even bigger run the second time he went in the pipe. He fell while transitioning to his second trick which ended his night of competition.
To be able to do this at 37—both physically and mentally—is remarkable, especially at the Olympic level. For Vito, victory was earning the right to compete in the pipe in Italy.
Most athletes would take time off after months of Olympic training, but not Vito. He will be back in the pipe within the next few weeks as he makes an appearance at Shaun White’s Professional Snowboard League.
