Torino 2006: XX Winter Olympic Games

[Cathleen]

I know it's a little early, but it's the Olympics, and I love all of it. Here is the official Torino website (English version) if you'd like to check things out.

It's almost here! Let the Games begin... in 36 days.

http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/home/index.html

 

[Cathleen]

Opening Ceremonies are now just less then one month away... time for me to start getting excited!



An unrepeatable emotion - Sparks of Passion

http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/bin/page/C_3_page_eng_45_paragraphs_paragrafo_1_image.jpg

An outstanding show that will keep two billion spectators glued to the screen: On February 10, 2006, starting from 8 pm the strong emotion of the Opening Ceremony of the Torino 2006 XX Olympic Winter Games at the Stadio Olimpico.

The values of brotherhood and dialogue will be represented by the athletes who will parade with their flags and colours, while the Italian style and creativity will be told using unique stage designs, mass choreographies, extraordinary light games and a memorable sound track.

Andrea Varnier (TOROC director of image and communications) and Marco Balich (executive producer of the Ceremonies for K2006, the company of the FilmMaster Group responsible for producing the Ceremonies) remind us, Rhythm, Passion and Speed are the foundation stones of the Ceremonies; these three elements find their perfect synthesis in these icons, developed to join the artistic segments with a single creative element. Thanks to an experimental technology that generates a red flame up to 2 metres long, the Sparks of Passion will evoke with their own charge of energy the world of myths and, at the same time the look of cartoons, infecting the stadium public and television viewers all over the world.

Among the names of the guests disclosed up to now there will be Giorgio Armani, who will stylistically take care of the protocol moment in which the Italian flag will appear and Roberto Bolle, dancer étoile of the Teatro alla Scala of Milan.

The project of the Ceremonies involves choreographers, directors, costume designers and international professionals; it will also involve a choreographed exhibition on skates called Sparks of Passion, in which eight athletes of the ice hockey will race at 50 km an hour inside the Stadio Olimpico. The spectacularity of this exhibition is guaranteed also due to an experimental technology able to generate a red flame 2 metres long.

The Closing Ceremony, programmed for February 26, 2006, at 8 pm, will gather the athletes and spectators in a universal embrace, proposing once again the switching off of the Olympic Flame giving the appointment for the next edition of the Games.

The Olympic ceremonies are the greatest show on earth. They will be followed by 35 thousand spectators present at the Stadio Olimpico and by about 2 billion of television spectators the world over

The numbers of the ceremonies:
• 6,100 volunteers + 240 professionals
• 15,000 days of personal work
• 100,000 meals
• 6,100 scene costumes during the two shows
• 500 pairs of skates
• 32 television cameras present at the Stadio
• 4,000 m² of stage purposely designed
• 10,000 m² of back stage
• More than 150 lorries to transport the stage, structures, lights, audio, special effects
• More than 100 km of cables



http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/OlympicGames/gare_e_programma/cerimonie.html

 

[Cathleen]

Schedule page:

http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/IDF/X05_20060211.html

 

[bobsgirl]

I guess you like the Olympics, eh, Cate?

 

[Cathleen]

I guess you like the Olympics, eh, Cate?

Yep, and I don't mind playing by myself either! So there.

 

[bobsgirl]

Eureka! I have finally found the answer to how is Cate odd! She plays with...er...by herself!

 

[Cathleen]

Eureka! I have finally found the answer to how is Cate odd! She plays with...er...by herself!

Oh please that is such old news. You can do better then that.

 

[bobsgirl]

Oh please that is such old news. You can do better then that.

Give me a break here! It's late, and I'm drugged!

 

[Cathleen]

Give me a break here! It's late, and I'm drugged!

Yea and that drug ain't working missy.

 

[Cathleen]

Let the games begin!

It might be interesting to hear how things are reported, etc. from around the world.

I'm looking forward to the downhill. When I was younger skier it was my favorite and best event - love that speed!

I hope others might enjoy sharing here.

Good luck to everyone - they've all worked so hard to get to Torino.

 

[ImmortaleAmante]

Cate you are not alone, i love the winter Olympics and i will be glued to the games, or rather am glued.

The opening ceremony was fantastic although a little surreal in parts.

Particulary looking forward to the snowboarding events especially with White, he did not win the medal earlier this year but instead lost out to a first timer which was a surprise to all so i wonder how that will make him push himself, whatever he does it will be spectacular as usual i have no doubt.

I second that Good luck to all

 

[Buster Cherry]

I'm not much for watching the opening ceremonies, but I did see a bit last night and it was pretty cool. Should be some fun action coming today!

 

[RoryN]

Bobsled racer Lund got booted from the team for an illegal substance found in hair-restoration pills.

Michelle Kwan just had a lousy practice, and might pull herself off the team before competition starts.

 

[Cathleen]

Oh boy -- Rory's post just reminded me of something... I love the surprise of watching without knowing results. But I had seen those two items.

Should we have a meeting of the minds here about posting results etc? Maybe it's just take your chances looking here. Just wondering.

 

[ImmortaleAmante]

Maybe we should put a warning before posting any or open another thread for them whilst using this one just to discuss the games.

 

[Cathleen]

Maybe we should put a warning before posting any or open another thread for them whilst using this one just to discuss the games.

Great idea Amante. Simple, ok, that's solved.

It's great to see you, it's been so long. I hope you and yours are well?

It will be fun to watch the Games with a more world view. The Winter Games have always held a special spot in my heart... this will be fun.

 

[ImmortaleAmante]

Great idea Amante. Simple, ok, that's solved.

It's great to see you, it's been so long. I hope you and yours are well?

It will be fun to watch the Games with a more world view. The Winter Games have always held a special spot in my heart... this will be fun.

I am very well thankyou, how are things with you?

I have only really got interested in the winter games in recent years, i have always loved the x-games and then of course went on to watch the winter x-games and now that interest has extended to the winter games. It looks like a really interesting year this year with some great athletes and some new countries, i am looking forward to hearing others veiws on the games.

 

[devoted lilgirl]

Waiting for Tuesday and women's curling,

 

[Cathleen]

Waiting for Tuesday and women's curling,

OK, I'm going to admit that no matter (almost) the sport, if it's the Olympics I'll watch. Back in 2002, I really liked watching curling. I sat here doing those bending, twisting, pushing things to get it closer... it's a sport of anyone.

Glad you have everyone jumping in now.

 

[Cathleen]

I am very well thankyou, how are things with you?

I have only really got interested in the winter games in recent years, i have always loved the x-games and then of course went on to watch the winter x-games and now that interest has extended to the winter games. It looks like a really interesting year this year with some great athletes and some new countries, i am looking forward to hearing others veiws on the games.

I'm well, thanks, Amante. Life has been happening... ups, downs, all arounds - you know - real life.

I love the X Games too. I have family and friends in Aspen, someday I'll get there for them. I grew up skiing and the downhill was my favorite race to compete in, it's the speed, it feels great. But I enjoy most sports anyway.

 

[ImmortaleAmante]

I'm well, thanks, Amante. Life has been happening... ups, downs, all arounds - you know - real life.

I love the X Games too. I have family and friends in Aspen, someday I'll get there for them. I grew up skiing and the downhill was my favorite race to compete in, it's the speed, it feels great. But I enjoy most sports anyway.

LOL i like that life has been happening, and can understand exactly what you mean.

I am not a big sports fan, or never thought as myself as one yet i seem to be finding myself becoming more and more interested in sports as i get older, except football, can't say that holds any interest at all for me.

 

[Cathleen]

LOL i like that life has been happening, and can understand exactly what you mean.

I am not a big sports fan, or never thought as myself as one yet i seem to be finding myself becoming more and more interested in sports as i get older, except football, can't say that holds any interest at all for me.

I admit to being a fair-weather-fan with football and baseball, and since I live in New England, that doesn't go down well at times. We've been called rabid sports fans here in Boston and we got so much worse with the Red Sox and the Patriots successes... it's fun though.

 

[ImmortaleAmante]

Ok WARNING





I was a bit disappointed with the British places in the Luge but considering what Hackl has been through recently he did well to rank as he did.

Ok now something i am annoyed with did anyone watch the womens moguls? I can't believe Heil took first place her run was no way as impressive as Traa's, i was also really impressed with Lauora and Sudova.

 

[bobsgirl]

Now when is women's curling on? I want to be able to tell my daughter who is a curling enthusiast.

 

[Cathleen]

Ok WARNING





I was a bit disappointed with the British places in the Luge but considering what Hackl has been through recently he did well to rank as he did.

Ok now something i am annoyed with did anyone watch the womens moguls? I can't believe Heil took first place her run was no way as impressive as Traa's, i was also really impressed with Lauora and Sudova.

I don't know, Heil took the middle with speed not matched. Just watching I cringe and rub my old knees. I never liked the bumps, didn't like swallowing my knees on every turn. Give me the speed!