All aboard! Jannik Sinner volunteers as ticket taker ahead of Milano-Cortina Olympics

The eyes of the sporting world will be on the Milano-Cortina Olympics over the next two weeks, and Italy's biggest sporting star was on hand in the days leading up to the Games to officially kick off the celebrations.

Days after losing to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner fulfilled his promise to volunteer at the first Olympics on Italian soil in 20 years when he served as a ticket taker for a special train alongside his countryman, and Paralympic fencing champion, Bebe Vio.

The "All Conditions Express" was commissioned by Sinner's apparel sponsor Nike as a promotional effort for the 2026 Games. The custom-painted orange Italian train kicked off a journey from Milan on Feb. 5 and will arrive at its final destination of the Orobic Alps on Feb. 8. In between, travelers will use the train as a mobile base camp, with activities including trail running and hiking set to promote a "culture of exploration" of the region.

In September 2024, when Sinner was named an ambassador for the Games and its first volunteer, he spoke about why his history as a skier made him extra excited for

"I am proud to represent the passion for these extraordinary disciplines and the desire to contribute to the success of such a unique event," he said.

"In all major sporting events, volunteers have the opportunity to make the experience unforgettable for us, the athletes," he added. "Sport has always been a fundamental part of my life, especially winter sports. I learned to ski when I was just a child, and since then, the adrenaline of the slopes and the allure of the snow-covered mountains have been with me through every winter. Milano Cortina 2026 will be held in places that are very special to me, and I can’t wait to watch the competitions of the champions who will come to Italy from all over the world."

After fulfilling his commitment, however, Sinner did not make an appearance at Friday's Opening Ceremony as some expected. A report by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that he chose not to attend in favor of getting extra training time ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, which begins on Feb. 16.