Cadel Evans hopeful son can go to Olympics after visa drama

CADEL Evans has not given up hope his toddler son Robel can attend the London Olympic Games.

Cadel Evans

CADEL Evans has not given up hope his toddler son Robel can attend the London Olympic Games.

Evans's wife, Chiara Passerini, attempted to get a visa for Robel at the British embassy in Zurich this week but was told the 20-month-old boy's passport would have to be kept for three weeks.

That would have meant Ms Passerini and her son would not have been able to travel to France from their home in Stabio, Switzerland, to watch Evans contest the Tour de France.

While Evans was initially resigned to the fact neither Chiara nor Robel would travel to London for the road race and time trial events, he is now more optimistic.

"We'll try and find a way there," Evans said yesterday before the start of the sixth stage in Epernay.

"I think for a little guy to go to an Olympic Games, whether he'll remember it or not, will be special for him.

"There are so many rules in the world.

"Our lives area already so complicated. We have to obey rules but sometimes simple things are impossible."

The British High Commission in Canberra was last night attempting to contact Ms Passerini.

Evans's family travels on three different passports - Australian, Italian and Ethiopian.

Robel was abandoned as a six-month old baby and was found in a cardboard box on the streets of Ethiopia before being taken into the orphanage.

He was adopted by Evans and Ms Passerini in December.

Evans's wife Chiara Passerini earlier used Twitter to lambast authorities after the couple's Ethiopian-born toddler was knocked back.

"Thank you all for the nice wishes, but unfortunately bureaucracy doesn't allow Lil Man to go and watch the Olympics. Ridiculous." Passerini tweeted.

"To say, I'm a bit furious. Just a tiny bit. What's next? Ah yes, visa for USA.

"He needs to leave his passport to uk visa office for 3 weeks. which would mean not move from Stabio, coz he's got no other ID.

"But you can get your 100€ refund for visa payment. Always pay attention when they ask you to pay first!"

Earlier, Passerine tweeted: "Bureaucratic day with embassies for Mamy and Lil Man: can you cross fingers for us until midday?"

Evans and Passerini won custody of Robel, now 18 months old, in December after making a secret rushed trip from Barwon Heads.

Robel was found abandoned on the streets of Shashamane when only six months old.

The youngster has started travelling to Europe's biggest races, often joining his father at post-race interviews.

He is expected to visit the Tour de France during the next week, almost certainly when the race briefly enters Switzerland on Sunday.

Evans and Passerini live in Stabio, a village near the Italian border.

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