Aldo Montano hospitalised after anaphylactic shock at Rome restaurant, despite allergy warning
Italian Olympic fencing champion Aldo Montano was rushed to hospital on 4 July after suffering anaphylactic shock during a meal at a Rome restaurant, despite having informed staff of his severe casein allergy.
The incident
Aldo Montano, the former Olympic sabre fencer and gold medalist at Athens 2004, was hospitalised on 4 July 2026 after a severe allergic reaction. He had been eating at a restaurant in Rome and had clearly communicated his allergy to casein, a milk protein, to the staff. Despite this, he went into anaphylactic shock and was taken to the emergency room of Santo Spirito hospital.
I am allergic to casein. It is not a whim, not a food fad, not an intolerance. It is a potentially lethal allergy. Yet it happened again. During a dinner in a Rome restaurant, after clearly communicating my allergy, I found myself fighting for my life.
Public statement on Instagram
Montano shared the experience on his Instagram profile, posting a photo of himself wearing an oxygen mask. He described the fear and adrenaline of the episode, calling it another close call with death. He stressed that in 2026 it is unacceptable for food allergies to be treated with such superficiality and lack of preparation.
Every time someone minimises, responds lightly or does not follow protocols, they are putting a human life at risk. There are no 'small distractions' when the consequences can be anaphylactic shock.
Call for change
In his message, Montano demanded that food allergies be recognised as potential emergencies, not ignored details. He warned that next time the outcome could be fatal, for him or for someone else. The champion thanked the hospital staff and his driver for their swift help.
It is time for food allergies to be treated for what they are: a potential emergency, not a detail to ignore. Because between a dinner and a tragedy, sometimes, there is only one mistake.
Aftermath
Montano is now out of danger. He specifically thanked Dr. Roberta, Dr. Annalisa and Tiziano from the Santo Spirito emergency department, as well as his driver Gian Marco D'Esubio. The incident has reignited discussion in Italy about restaurant protocols for food allergies.
