2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...

(Torino 2006) was held on February 10, 2006 beginning at 20:00 CET

Central European Time

Central European Time , used in most parts of the European Union, is a standard time that is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time . The time offset from UTC can be written as +01:00...

(19:00 UTC) at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin

Turin

Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...

, Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

.

The ceremony was attended by 35,000 spectators with the presence of numerous international and Italian guests on the stage and heads of state and government on the stands. The event was broadcast live to an estimated two-billion audience worldwide by 32 television cameras.

The ceremony saluted the region's culture and history, was highlighted by Italian celebrities and showcased Italian designs. There were the customary parade of athletes and raising of the host nation's flag and the Olympic flag. Apart from the choreography, the fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...

, and the pageantry, the ceremony was a reminder of peace as a goal of these Games. It climaxed with the lighting of the Olympic Flame.

Program

The theme of the program was "Passion Lives Here," and the 4000m² stage was shaped like an anatomic heart

Heart

The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...

with a mosh pit in the centre where the athletes congregated for the second half of the ceremonies. The athletes were thus put in the centre of action and in front of the stage, emphasizing that the heart of each athlete was the focus of the Games.

There were sentiments of self-conceit amongst TOROC for not including a tribute section during the Opening Ceremonies honoring the Past Host Cities of the previous installments of the Olympic Winter Games that was the very first part of the XIX Olympic Winter Games

2002 Winter Olympics

The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...

that had been held in Salt Lake City, USA on February 8, 2002.

The ceremony was conducted in French

French language

French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

and English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

, the two official languages of the International Olympic Committee

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

, and Italian

Italian language

Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...

, the language of the host country.
The program was executed by 6,100 volunteers and 240 professionals after 15,000 man days of work.

Rhythm of Passion

Sparks of Passion

Artistic, 1m countdown plus 4m 20s
776 performers
Direction: Gabriele Vacis
Assistant direction: Roberto Tarasco
Choreography: Giuseppe Arena
Moshpit choreography: Doug Jack
Pyrotechnical effects: Christophe Berthonneau
Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri
Helmet-donning skaters costume design: Lino Dainese
Sparks special effects: Vittorio Comi
Helmet-donning skaters choreography: Giuseppe Arena
Helmet-donning skaters: Fabio Cassinelli, Simone Giaccaglia, Luca Imperio, Elia Locagliano, Simone Martino, Daniele Pin
Original Music: Composed arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

The Opening Ceremonies began with a traditional countdown

Countdown

A countdown is a sequence of counting backward to indicate the seconds, days, or other time units remaining before an event occurs or a deadline expires. Typical events for which a countdown is used include the launch of a rocket or spacecraft, the detonation of a bomb, the start of a race, and the...

by the spectators. Italian gymnast Yuri Chechi as a shaman striking an anvil

Anvil

An anvil is a basic tool, a block with a hard surface on which another object is struck. The inertia of the anvil allows the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece. In most cases the anvil is used as a forging tool...

with a hammer opened the first scene of the program representing the industrial past of the Piedmont

Piedmont

Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...

region. Each strike spewed up a fountain of flames and were responded to with flames over three metres high, lit from 52 nozzles lined up around the piazza. A group of inline skaters in red unitards soon entered and executed their choreograph and formations. With the fire, costume and flood light, the stage was soon turned into a sea of red. In the mosh pit, performers executed synchronised swimming moves to the pulsing rhythm. It was said that the choreographer was inspired by synchronised swimming when he saw the event for the first time in the 2004 Summer Olympics

2004 Summer Olympics

The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...

in Athens

Athens

Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...

Doug Jack wanted to create 500 synchronized swimmers without using water but encased in Ice!.

The skaters then gyrated to the pulsing rhythm forming a familiar heart shape pumping to the beat. The formation was soon shattered when a lone skater symbolising a spark of passion shot through the beating heart. Six helmet-donning skaters then entered with two-foot flames flared from the back of their helmets and criscrossed the stage.

Greetings from the Alps

Mountain Folk

Artistic, 4m 30s
829 performers
Direction: Gabriele Vacis
Moshpit choreography: Doug Jack
Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri
Music: Occitane Anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...

"Se Chanta
Se Canto
Se Canta is an anthem associated with Occitania. It is also a very old popular song, known all over Occitania. According to legend, it was written by Gaston III Fébus , Count of Foix and Béarn....

" performed by L'Ange Gardien Chorus; Ouverture "Gazza Ladra" by Rossini
Gioacchino Rossini
Gioachino Antonio Rossini was an Italian composer who wrote 39 operas as well as sacred music, chamber music, songs, and some instrumental and piano pieces...

, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

Following the exit of the flaming skaters, the sounding of seven alphorn

Alphorn

The alphorn or alpenhorn or alpine horn is a labrophone, consisting of a natural wooden horn of conical bore, having a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece, used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland and elsewhere...

s to the notes of the Occitan Hymn signaled the beginning of the next segment that paid tribute to the Alps

Alps

The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....

and the seven Alpine countries: Italy

Italy

, France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

, Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...

, Austria

Austria

Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...

, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

and Slovenia

Slovenia

Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...

. Artificial snow and life-size pine tree shapes set the mood for this segment as the stage was transformed from red to white.

It had been 14 years since the Winter Olympic Games were last held in the Alps, in 1992 in Albertville, France

1992 Winter Olympics

The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...

. The 13 million people living in the mountainous region were represented by dancers waltzing in their national costumes. Life-size cow effigies .were pulled in and paraded around the stage representing the significance of the dairy farming

Dairy farming

Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...

industry in the Alpine region. Three waltzing couples in cow suits soon entered the scene, while cow bells were heard ringing from the crowd.

After the stage was cleared, 50 performers in white unitards entered with very large white balloons on their heads symbolising the arrival of the snowflakes. A change of music signalled the exit of the snowflakes and in the mosh pit performers formed a snowflake which was lit up by flashlights as the segment came to a close.

Italy

Italian Flag

Entry of the Authorities

Italian Anthem

Direction: Gabriele Vacis
Artistic direction and costume design: Giorgio Armani
Protocol coordinator: Sigrid Guillion Mangilli
Protocol segment coordinator: Pamela Allvin
Segment coordinator: Annalisi Barbieri
Coordinator: CONI - Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano
Carabineers
Carabinieri
The Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...

' Guard of Honour
Music: "Amarcord
Amarcord
Amarcord is a 1973 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Federico Fellini, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale about Titta, an adolescent boy growing up among an eccentric cast of characters in the fictional town of Borgo in 1930s Fascist Italy...

", by Nino Rota; Italian Anthem
Il Canto degli Italiani
Il Canto degli Italiani is the Italian national anthem. It is best known among Italians as Inno di Mameli , after the author of the lyrics, or Fratelli d'Italia , from its opening line...

, composed by Goffredo Mameli and Michele Novaro, arranged by Michele Centonze

This section paid tribute to the Italian flag whose entrance was led by 26 Olympic medalists in white suits and gowns marching in two files. Following the athletes was model, singer and future French first lady Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is an Italian-French songwriter, singer, actress, and former model...

carrying a folded Italian flag

Flag of Italy

The flag of Italy is a tricolour featuring three equally sized vertical pales of green, white, and red, with the green at the hoist side...

. Bruni wore a sparkling gown by Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...

, inspired by crystal and ice.

The stage was flooded in the Italian colours red, white, and green by the coloured spotlights at the top of the stadium as the entrance of the President of the International Olympic Committee

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

Jacques Rogge

Jacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...

and the President of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

dr. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is an Italian politician and banker. He was the 73rd Prime Minister of Italy from 1993 to 1994 and was the tenth President of the Italian Republic from 1999 to 2006...

was announced.

Sustained drumbeats set a mood as three military police officers entered and retrieved the flag from Bruni and brought it to the flag pole.

The flag was raised by Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

to the solo rendition of the Italian national anthem after a short pastoral orchestra introduction (as oppose to the usual marching introduction). Il Canto degli Italiani
Il Canto degli Italiani
Il Canto degli Italiani is the Italian national anthem. It is best known among Italians as Inno di Mameli , after the author of the lyrics, or Fratelli d'Italia , from its opening line...

was performed by nine-year-old Eleonora Benetti wearing the Italian tricolour. Her verse ended as the choir joined in for the much more rapid refrain

Refrain

A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...

Torino Olympic City

XX Olympic Winter Games

The Great Skier

Artistic, 6m 10s
467 performers
Direction & Choreography Concept: Doug Jack
Choreography: Bryn Walters, Nikis Lagousakos, Claire Terri
Segment coordinator: Annalisa Barbieri
Original music: composed arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

467 performers, each wearing one of the 5 Olympic colours, created a 20meter tall ski jumper formation, after the playing of the Italian national anthem. The choreography showed an animated ski jumper gliding down the take-off slope, flying through the night air and eventually landing safely in perfect form on the ground. Puffs of air could be seen as the jumper prepared his jump. Performers carrying a blue banner then entered to show the skier gliding down the slope. In flight the figure was lit up by headlamp flashlights in a formation of a ski jumper in peak flight. The ski jumper eventually made a graceful landing on the ground as performers released confetti (to represent a snowplow stop) and cheered (as well as was CHEERED) as the segment came to a close.

Olympic Spirit

Citius, altius, fortius

Artistic, 6m 10s
149 performers
Direction and choreography: Giulia Staccioli (Kataklò)
Technical director: Richard Hartman
Production director: Simone Masserini
Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo
Kataklò technical Coordinator: Andrea Zorzi
Ground choreography: Bryn Walters
Performer athletes: Maria Agatiello, Davide Agostini, Sara Bonarti,Ilaria Cinzia Cavagna, Mauro Maurizio Colucci, Valentina Marino, Giulia Piolanti, Stefano Pribaz, Davide Rabaioli, Marco Zanotti, Gabriele Zappa
Original music: composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

The Sparks of Passion reentered the stadium in this segment where the largest and tallest Olympic Rings for the Opening Ceremonies would be created. Acrobats could be seen maneuvering on three ring shaped frames floating up and down along four lattice columns on the opposite end of the stadium to the stage and the mosh pit. Dancers in red unitards below gyrated to pulsing beats as the theme of passion returned for this segment of the program. While the acrobats descended to the ground, two additional ring shaped frames were raised. The five circular frames were flipped vertically revealing the five Olympic Rings shimmering in light. The rings were then illuminated in the Olympic colours and the structure was lit up in fireworks. The black ring in the centre of the symbol was substituted with white since it is impossible to produce black light

Black light

A black light, also referred to as a UV light, ultraviolet light, or Wood's lamp, is a lamp that emits ultraviolet radiation in the long-wave range, and little visible light...

Heroes of Our Time - Parade of Nations

Protocol, 53m
Director & Choreography: Doug Jack
Placard bearers' costumes: Moschino
Moschino
Moschino is an Italian fashion design house and manufacturer of women's, men's and children's fashion.-History:The brand was originally created in 1983 by the late Franco Moschino...

(Rossella Jardini, Joan Tann)
Music: Medley disco music
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...

The national teams then entered underneath the five-ring structure in the traditional Parade of Nations. Like with all Olympic games, the first team to emerge was Greece, since it was the birthplace of the games, and the host nation Italy entered last. The rest of the nations entered following the alphabetical order according to the spelling of the country in Italian, the language of the host country, as is tradition. Greece entering first and Italy entering last also symbolized the countries that hosted the two most recent Olympics: Greece hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics games held in Athens, and Italy hosted these.

The names of the nations were announced first in Italian, then in English and followed by French.

North Korea

North Korea

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...

and South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

marched together under the Unification Flag

Unification Flag

The Unification Flag is a flag designed to represent all of Korea when both North and South Korea participate in sporting events. The flag was first used in 1991 when the two countries competed as a single team in the 41st World Table Tennis Championship in Chiba, Japan and the 8th World Youth...

for the first time in the Winter Olympic Games. The two nations have been doing so since the 2000 Summer Olympics

2000 Summer Olympics

The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...

in Sydney. North Korea, however, did not participate in the 2002 Winter Games

2002 Winter Olympics

in Salt Lake City. Altogether, 80 National Olympic Committee

National Olympic Committee

National Olympic Committees are the national constituents of the worldwide Olympic movement. Subject to the controls of the International Olympic Committee, they are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic Games...

s participated in the Games, an increase from 77 in the previous Winter Games.

The Moschino

Moschino

Moschino is an Italian fashion design house and manufacturer of women's, men's and children's fashion.-History:The brand was originally created in 1983 by the late Franco Moschino...

designed the clothes of the women bearing the placards with team names for the athletes' parade. The dresses were shaped as snowy mountain tops, complete with pine trees and small houses lit up by embedded lights. Miss Italia

Miss Italia

Miss Italia is the name of a beauty pageant awarding prizes every year to young, female contestants from Italy. Since the first edition of the contest in 1939 many of the contestants have gone on to notable careers in television and film.-History:...

, Edelfa Chiara Masciotta

Edelfa Chiara Masciotta

Edelfa Chiara Masciotta is an Italian television personality and former beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Italia 2005.Masciotta was born in Turin. She was crowned Miss Italy on September 19, 2005...

, was carrying the placard for team Italy who wore a special dress designed to pay tribute to Turin. When all assembled on stage the ladies represented the Italian Alps mountain range, beauty, strength and breathtaking poise.

The march of the Olympic teams was accompanied by a selection of 1970s and 1980s American and European disco

Disco

Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...

music, including "Video Killed the Radio Star

Video Killed the Radio Star

"Video Killed the Radio Star" is a song by the British synthpop/New Wave group The Buggles, released as their debut single on 7 September 1979, on Island Records from their debut album The Age of Plastic. It celebrates the golden days of radio, describing a singer whose career is cut short by...

," "YMCA

YMCA (song)

"Y.M.C.A." is a song recorded by American disco group Village People. It was released in 1978 as the only single from the album Cruisin. The song reached No. 2 on the U.S. charts in early 1979 and reached No.1 in the UK around the same time, becoming the group's biggest hit...

" by the Village People

Village People

Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....

, "I Will Survive

I Will Survive

"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...

" by Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...

, "Daddy Cool" by Boney M

Boney M

Boney M. is a Eurodisco group created by German record producer Frank Farian. Originally based in Germany, the four original members of the group's official line-up were Jamaicans Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams from Montserrat and Bobby Farrell from Aruba...

and songs by the Doobie Brothers and Eurythmics

Eurythmics

Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...

.

The following table lists the countries and territories in the order of their entrance. It is worth noting that not all the athletes participated in the opening ceremonies, as some may have chosen to prepare themselves for races and competitions that were scheduled the very next morning. Other commitments may have prevented some athletes from participating in the parade. For example, most men's hockey teams would not arrive in Turin until the following week since most of the players are involved with the NHL

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

. On the other hand, the parade includes officials, judges, coaches and other team staff.

Italian Name	Flag bearer	Sport	Athletes
Grecia	Eleftherios Fafalis Eleftherios Fafalis Lefteris Fafalis is a West German-born, Greek cross country skier who has competed since 1995. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 29th in the individual sprint event at Turin in 2006...	Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics The cross-country skiing events at the 2006 Winter Olympics featured 12 events, from February 11, 2006 to 26 February 2006 at Pragelato in Turin.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-Participating nations:...	5
Albania	Erjon Tola Erjon Tola Erjon Tola is an Albanian alpine ski racer who represented Albania at the 2006 Winter Olympics and at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was ranked the last among those who finished the men's Super-G, but finished 35th at men's giant slalom. Tola finished 48th, at the men's slalom and 63rd at the men's...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Algeria	Christelle Laura Douibi Christelle Laura Douibi Christelle Laura Douibi is an Algerian alpine skier at the 2006 Winter Olympics. She finished last, among those who finished, in her events yet felt proud of the achievement. She dedicated her first race to her deceased father Mohammed. She was also the nation's flag bearer, and the only woman to...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	2
Andorra	Alex Antor Alex Antor Alex Antor is an Andorran alpine skier.He represented Andorra at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. He was their flag bearer in the 2006 Opening Ceremonies. He never raced in the World Cup....	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	3
Argentina	Maria Belen Simari Birkner María Belén Simari Birkner María Belén Simari Birkner is a female skier from Argentina. She has represented Argentina in both the 2006 and the 2010 Winter Olympics, in the Alpine skiing events...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	9
Armenia	Vazgen Azroyan	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	5
Australia	Alisa Camplin Alisa Camplin Alisa Camplin OAM is an Australian aerial skier who won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the second ever winter olympic gold medal for Australia. At the 2006 Winter Olympics, Camplin finished third, a bronze medal...	Freestyle skiing Freestyle skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four freestyle skiing events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the venue in Sauze d'Oulx. There were both men's and women's competition in both aerials and moguls events...	40
Austria	Renate Götschl Renate Götschl Renate Götschl is a former champion alpine ski racer. She is a two-time individual World Champion in the combined and downhill , and has won a total of 9 World Championships medals...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	85
Azerbaigian	Igor Lukanin Igor Lukanin Igor Lukanin is an ice dancer who competes internationally for Azerbaijan with Kristin Fraser....	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	2
Belgio	Kevin van der Perren Kevin van der Perren Kevin van der Perren is a Belgian figure skater. He is the 2007 & 2009 European bronze medalist, a three-time Grand Prix medalist, and a seven-time Belgian national champion...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	4
Bermuda	Patrick Singleton Patrick Singleton Patrick Singleton , is a Bermudian luger who competed in the late 1990s and early 2000s before going into skeleton since 2002. In 1998, Singleton finished 27th in the men's singles event while he finished 37th in the same event four years later.He finished 19th in the men's skeleton event at the...	Skeleton Skeleton at the 2006 Winter Olympics The skeleton competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy on February 16 and February 17 .-Medal table:-Events:...	1
Bielorussia	Alexandre Popov	Coach (Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee... )	28
Bosnia-Erzegovina	Aleksandra Vasiljević	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	6
Brasile	Isabel Clark	Snowboarding Snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympic Games Snowboarding competition consisted of men's and women's Halfpipe, Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross events.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:...	10
Bulgaria	Ekaterina Dafovska Ekaterina Dafovska Ekaterina Dafovska is a Bulgarian biathlete. At the age of 15 years she signed up in the sports club of her hometown, where she went in for biathlon. She won a gold Olympic medal at the 15 km Individual event during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano...	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	21
Canada	Danielle Goyette Danielle Goyette Danielle Goyette is a retired women's ice hockey player, and has been on the Canadian national team.-Hockey Canada:...	Ice hockey Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...	196
Repubblica Ceca	Martina Sáblíková Martina Sáblíková Martina Sáblíková is a Czech speedskater, specializing in long distance races. She is an Olympic gold medal winner and a multiple World champion. She is the elder sister of fellow speedskater Milan Sáblík.-Career:As a junior, Sáblíková already achieved some notable results during international...	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	85
Cile	Daniela Anguita	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	9
Cina	Yang Yang (A) Yang Yang (A) Yang Yang is a former Chinese short track speed skater and current IOC member. She is a two-time Olympic Champion from 2002 Winter Olympics and a five-time Overall World Champion for 1998-2002. She was formerly a member of the Chinese national short track team...	Short track speed skating Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over thirteen days, from 12 February to 25 February. Eight events were contested at Torino Palavela. In the men's competition, Ahn Hyun-Soo earned a medal in each event, winning three golds...	78
Cipro	Theodoros Christodoulou	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Corea	Jong-In Han	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	6
Corea	Bora Lee	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	40
Costa Rica	Arthur James Barton	Coach	1
Croazia	Janica Kostelić Janica Kostelic Janica Kostelić is a retired alpine ski racer from Croatia. She is the only woman to win four gold medals in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics , and the only woman to win three alpine skiing gold medals in one Olympics ....	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	24
Danimarca	Dorthe Holm Dorthe Holm Dorthe Holm is a Danish curler from Kastrup.Holm skipped the Danish women's team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. The team were the only athletes Denmark sent to the games, as such Holm carried the flag for Denmark in the opening ceremonies.Holm has had a long curling career, which internationally...	Curling Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in the town of Pinerolo, Italy from February 13 to February 24. It proved to be the sleeper hit in terms of television ratings in Italy. According to a CBC feature, curling at the 2006 Winter Games drew 5 million viewers, eclipsing ice hockey and figure...	5
Estonia	Eveli Saue Eveli Saue Eveli Saue is an Estonian orienteering competitor and biathlete. She is world champion in the combined sport biathlon orienteering.-Orienteering:...	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	28
Etiopia	Robel Teklemariam Robel Teklemariam Robel Zeimichael Teklemariam is an Ethiopian cross country skier who has competed since 2006. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 83rd in the 15 km event at Turin in 2006....	Cross country skiing	1
Ex Repubblica Jugoslava di Macedonia	Gorgi Markovskihttp://www.torino2006.org/ITA/IDF/ATH/101091.html	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	3
Finlandia	Janne Lahtela Janne Lahtela Janne Lahtela is a Finnish former athlete, who established himself as one of the most dominant persons in the history of moguls skiing. He is currently the head coach of Japan's freestyle skiing team...	Freestyle skiing Freestyle skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four freestyle skiing events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the venue in Sauze d'Oulx. There were both men's and women's competition in both aerials and moguls events...	102
Francia	Bruno Mingeon Bruno Mingeon Bruno Mingeon is a French bobsledder who competed from 1988 to 2006. Competing in five Winter Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the four-man event at Nagano in 1998...	Bobsleigh Bobsleigh at the 2006 Winter Olympics Three bobsleigh events were competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, at the Cesana Pariol venue. The competition took place between February 18 and February 25, 2006....	89
Georgia	Vakhtang Murvanidze Vakhtang Murvanidze Vakhtang Murvanidze \|Georgia]]) is a Georgian figure skater. He is a multiple Georgian national champion and has represented Georgia at the 2002 Winter Olympics, where he placed 17th, and the 2006 Winter Olympics, where he placed 28th. His highest placement at the European Figure Skating...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	3
Germania	Kati Wilhelm Kati Wilhelm Kati Wilhelm is a German former professional biathlete. Like most German biathletes she is also a member of the German Armed Forces with the rank of master sergeant...	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	164
Giappone	Joji Kato Joji Kato is a Japanese speedskater specialised in the sprinting distance 500 metres. At the age of 17 he became the first junior speedskater to skate the 500 metres below 35 seconds....	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	112
Gran Bretagna	Rhona Martin Rhona Martin Rhona Martin MBE is a Scottish curler who has skipped the Scotland women's team at both the European and World Championships, but is most famous as the skip of the Great Britain team that claimed the gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in 2002.-Early career:For a long time best known in...	Curling Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in the town of Pinerolo, Italy from February 13 to February 24. It proved to be the sleeper hit in terms of television ratings in Italy. According to a CBC feature, curling at the 2006 Winter Games drew 5 million viewers, eclipsing ice hockey and figure...	40
Hong Kong, Cina	Yueshuang Han	Short track speed skating Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over thirteen days, from 12 February to 25 February. Eight events were contested at Torino Palavela. In the men's competition, Ahn Hyun-Soo earned a medal in each event, winning three golds...	1
India	Neha Ahuja Neha Ahuja Neha Ahuja is the second Indian woman to qualify for the Winter Olympics, and the first Indian to be competing in the Giant Slalom alpine skiing finals. Daughter of an Indian Border Security Officer, she was one of the four Indians competing at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	4
Iran	Alidad Saveh-Shemshaki	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	2
Irlanda	Kirsten McGarry Kirsten McGarry Kristen McGarry is an alpine skier from Ireland. She competed for Ireland at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics. Her best result was a 32nd place in the giant slalom in 2006.-External links:*...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	4
Islanda	Dagny Kristjansdottir	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	5
Isole Vergini	Anne Abernathy Anne Abernathy Anne Abernathy is a luge athlete from the United States Virgin Islands and is the oldest female athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. The 2006 Winter Olympics were her sixth. Despite her age, she is a consistent competitor with frequent World Cup podium finishes, and she is consistently... http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/IDF/ATH/603140.html	Luge Luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics The Luge competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy. Three events were staged, taking place from February 11 to February 15. These were the first games where a qualifying system was used to determine the enterants into the games.-Medal...	1
Israele	Galit Chait Galit Chait Galit Chait is a former Israeli ice dancer with partner Sergei Sakhnovski. They competed internationally for Israel from 1995 to 2006.- Personal life :Chait was born in Israel and moved to New Jersey as a child with her parents...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	5
Kazakistan	Aleksandr Koreshkov	Ice hockey Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...	56
Kenya	Phillip Boit	Cross country skiing	1
Kirghizistan	Ivan Borisov	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Lettonia	Arturs Irbe Arturs Irbe Artūrs Irbe is a former Soviet and Latvian professional ice hockey goaltender. He has played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets. He served as the goaltending coach for the Washington Capitals...	Ice hockey Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...	58
Libano	Edmond Keiroue		3
Liechtenstein	Jessica Walter	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	6
Lituania	Vida Venciene Vida Venciene Vida Vencienė is a former cross-country skier who represented the USSR and later Lithuania from 1988 to 1994. She won a gold medal over 10 km and a bronze over 5 km at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary for the USSR.Her best finish at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships was 7th in...	Chef de mission	7
Lussemburgo	Fleur Maxwell Fleur Maxwell Fleur Maxwell is a Luxembourgish figure skater. She is the 2005 Luxembourg national champion.She started skating at the age of 9. She made her senior international debut at the 2005 European Figure Skating Championships. At the 2005 World Figure Skating Championships, she placed 29th...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	1
Madagascar	Mathieu Razanakolona Mathieu Razanakolona Mathieu Razanakolona is a Malagasy-Canadian alpine skier, born to a Quebecois mother and a father from Madagascar, currently residing in Canada.He competes in both slalom and giant slalom races...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Moldova	Natalia Levtchenkova	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	7
Monaco	Patrice Servelle Patrice Servelle Patrice Servelle is a Monegasque bobsledder who has competed since 1994. His best finish in the Bobsleigh World Cup was second in the two-man event at Calgary in December 2010. This was also Monaco's first ever World Cup medal....	Bobsleigh Bobsleigh at the 2006 Winter Olympics Three bobsleigh events were competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics, at the Cesana Pariol venue. The competition took place between February 18 and February 25, 2006....	4
Mongolia	Khurel Baatar Khash-Erdene	Cross country skiing	2
Nepal	Dachhiri Sherpa Dachhiri Sherpa Dachhiri Sherpa is a Nepali cross-country skier who has competed since 2003. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 92nd in the 15 km event at Vancouver in 2010.- Skiing Achievements :...	Cross country skiing	1
Norvegia	Pål Trulsen Pål Trulsen Pål Trulsen is a Norwegian curler from Hosle in Bærum, and was the 2002 Olympic curling men's champion....	Curling Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in the town of Pinerolo, Italy from February 13 to February 24. It proved to be the sleeper hit in terms of television ratings in Italy. According to a CBC feature, curling at the 2006 Winter Games drew 5 million viewers, eclipsing ice hockey and figure...	81
Nuova Zelanda	Sean Becker Sean Becker Sean Peter Becker is a New Zealand curler.-Career:Becker was the skip for New Zealand teams which won three Pacific Curling Championships in 1998, 2003, and 2004. He also skipped for the New Zealand team in the 2004 and 2005 Ford World Men's Curling Championship, finishing in 8th place with a 5-6...	Curling Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics Curling at the 2006 Winter Olympics was held in the town of Pinerolo, Italy from February 13 to February 24. It proved to be the sleeper hit in terms of television ratings in Italy. According to a CBC feature, curling at the 2006 Winter Games drew 5 million viewers, eclipsing ice hockey and figure...	18
Paesi Bassi	Jan Bos Jan Bos Jan Bos is a Dutch speedskater and sprint cyclist.In 1998 he became world champion sprint and he won the silver medal that year on the 1000 meter sprint during the Winter Olympics in Nagano....	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	35
Polonia	Paulina Ligocka Paulina Ligocka Paulina Ligocka is a Polish snowboarder.In March 2006 she finished second in the cumulative final standing of the World Cup in half-pipe....	Snowboarding Snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympic Games Snowboarding competition consisted of men's and women's Halfpipe, Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross events.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:...	48
Portogallo	Danny Silva Danny Silva Danny Silva is a Portuguese cross-country skier who has competed since 2004. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 93rd in the 15 km event at Turin in 2006....	Cross country skiing	1
Romania	Gheorghe Chiper Gheorghe Chiper Gheorghe Chiper is a Romanian former competitive figure skater. He is an eight time Romanian national champion and competed at two Olympic Games. He is the first Romanian skater to win a medal on the Grand Prix circuit and the first Romanian to land a quadruple toe loop in competition. He moved to...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	25
Russia	Dmitry Dorofeev Dmitry Dorofeev Dmitry Anatolyevich Dorofeyev is a speed skater. Dmitry Dorofeyev won a silver medal in the 500 m at the 2006 Winter Olympics. His second place finish was Russia's first Olympic speed skating medal since 1994. He placed tenth in the 1,000 m event...	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	178
San Marino	Marino Cardelli Marino Cardelli Marino Cardelli is a San Marinese alpine skier who represented his nation in the 2006 Winter Olympics He competed for San Marino at the 2010 Winter Olympics as well. He was selected as his nation's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.- References :...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Senegal	Leyti Seck Leyti Seck Leyti Seck, , is a Senegalese alpine skier.-Biography:Seck was his country's only representative at the 2006 Winter Olympics...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Serbia e Montenegro	Jelena Lolović Jelena Lolović Jelena Lolović is a Serbian alpine skier.She was named to the Serbian team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.-External links:**...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	6
Slovacchia	Walter Marx Walter Marx Walter Marx is a Slovakian luger who competed from 1993 to 2006. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of ninth in the men's doubles event at Salt Lake City in 2002....	Luge Luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics The Luge competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy. Three events were staged, taking place from February 11 to February 15. These were the first games where a qualifying system was used to determine the enterants into the games.-Medal...	62
Slovenia	Tadeja Brankovič	Biathlon Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics Biathlon at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten biathlon events. They were held at the Cesana-San Sicario arena. The events began on 11 February and ended on 25 February 2006. Approximately 6,500 spectators were expected by the organizing committee...	42
Spagna	Maria Jose Rienda María José Rienda María José Rienda Contreras is a former World Cup alpine ski racer.Rienda won the last two giant slaloms of the 2005 season, the first victory for a Spanish ski racer since Blanca Fernández Ochoa in December 1991. Rienda has 6 World Cup victories, all in giant slalom.María Rienda represented Spain...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	16
Stati Uniti d'America	Chris Witty Chris Witty Christine Diane Witty is an American speed skater and racing cyclist and participated in the Olympic Games in both sports. However, she is more successful in skating....	Speed skating Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over ten days, from 11 February to 21 February. Twelve events were contested at the Oval Lingotto.-Medal table:-Men's events:* Skaters who did not participate in the final, but received medals....	211
Sud Africa	Alexander Heath Alexander Heath Alexander Heath is a South African Olympic athlete. In the 2006 Winter Olympics, he became the first African to participate in all five Alpine events. He resides in Cape Town....	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	3
Svezia	Anja Pärson Anja Pärson Anja Sofia Tess Pärson is a Swedish-Sámi alpine skier, the winner of seven World Championships gold medals and two Overall Alpine Skiing World Cup titles. She has won a total of 42 World cup races.-Biography:...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	112
Svizzera	Philipp Schoch Philipp Schoch Philipp Schoch is a Swiss snowboarder.In Snowboarding at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Schoch won gold in Men's Parallel Giant Slalom....	Snowboarding Snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympic Games Snowboarding competition consisted of men's and women's Halfpipe, Parallel Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross events.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:...	143
Tagikistan	Andrei Drygin Andrei Drygin Andrei Drygin, born June 12, 1977, is a Tajik alpine skier.Drygin was the flag-bearer and only representative of Tajikistan at the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. He also competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as the only competitor again but was not the flag bearer. In 2002, he competed...	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	1
Taipei Cinese	Chih-Hung Ma	Luge Luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics The Luge competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy. Three events were staged, taking place from February 11 to February 15. These were the first games where a qualifying system was used to determine the enterants into the games.-Medal...	1
Thailandia	Prawat Nagvajara Prawat Nagvajara Prawat Nagvajara is a Thai academic and cross-country skier. He is the only person ever to have represented Thailand at the Winter Olympic Games, having taken part in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics. Unsurprisingly, he was therefore his country's flagbearer at the Games' Opening Ceremonies on...	Cross country skiing	1
Turchia	Tuğba Karademir Tugba Karademir Tuğba Karademir , is a Turkish former figure skater. She was the flag-bearer for Turkey at the 2006 Winter Olympics, where she placed 21st.- Career :...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	6
Ucraina	Natalia Yakushenko	Luge Luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics The Luge competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy. Three events were staged, taking place from February 11 to February 15. These were the first games where a qualifying system was used to determine the enterants into the games.-Medal...	53
Ungheria	Rozsa Darazs	Short track speed skating Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Short track speed skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics, was held over thirteen days, from 12 February to 25 February. Eight events were contested at Torino Palavela. In the men's competition, Ahn Hyun-Soo earned a medal in each event, winning three golds...	20
Uzbekistan	Kayrat Ermetov	Alpine skiing Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics Alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events, held at Sestriere and Cesana-San Sicario, Italy. The races were held from February 12-25, 2006.-Medal table:- Men's events :- Women's events :-Course Information:...	4
Venezuela	Werner Hoeger Werner Hoeger Werner Hoeger is a professor emeritus of exercise science at Boise State University. He has published 51 editions of Fitness & Wellness college textbooks. He is one of the most widely read fitness and wellness college authors in the United States...	Luge Luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics The Luge competition at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games was held at Cesana Pariol in Cesana, Italy. Three events were staged, taking place from February 11 to February 15. These were the first games where a qualifying system was used to determine the enterants into the games.-Medal...	1
Italia	Carolina Kostner Carolina Kostner Carolina Kostner is an Italian figure skater. She is a three-time World medalist , a three-time European champion , a three-time Grand Prix Final medalist , the 2003 World Junior bronze medalist, and a six-time Italian Champion.-Personal life:Carolina Kostner was born...	Figure skating Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics Four figure skating events were held at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, at the Palavela venue.Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete at five Olympics....	184

The 2006 games were the first winter games in which these countries have participated.
Yang Yang (A) was China's first female flag bearer for the Olympics.
These flag bearers are also citizens of Canada.
This young snowboard
Snowboard
Snowboards are boards, usually with a width the length of one's foot, with the ability to glide on snow. Snowboards are differentiated from monoskis by the stance of the user...

er replaced her older colleague Jagna Marczulajtis
Jagna Marczulajtis
Jagna Marczułajtis is a Polish snowboarder who competes in parallel slalom and parallel giant slalom. Since November 2011, she is also a member of the Polish Sejm....

who was sick.

From Renaissance to Baroque

Artistic, 4m 12s
515 performers
Direction and choreography: Monica Maimone
Monica Maimone
Monica Maimone is an Italian theater director and playwright.- Biography :She started her career in theater in 1966; in 1968 she created the theatre group called Nuova Scena together with Dario Fo and Franca Rame, following the model of Erwin Piscator's "Volksbũhne"...
Artistic direction: Valerio Festi
Valerio Festi
Valerio Festi is an Italian artistic director and producer. He is also the Chief Executive Officer at Studio Festi.-Biography:Valerio obtained his degree in 1978 at the University of Bologna....
Costumes: Gabriella Pescucci
Segment coordinator: Nicola Tamburrano
Producer: Alessandra Rossetti
Set design: Roberto Rebaudengo
Drammaturgy: Paolo Dalla Sega
Flag wavers' coordinator: Stefano Mosele
Flag wavers and musicians: F.I.SB. - Federazione Italiana Sbandieratori
Original music: composed, arranged anc orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

After a short homage to Dante

Dante Alighieri

Durante degli Alighieri, mononymously referred to as Dante , was an Italian poet, prose writer, literary theorist, moral philosopher, and political thinker. He is best known for the monumental epic poem La commedia, later named La divina commedia ...

and The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature...

, there were Renaissance

Renaissance

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...

and Baroque

Baroque

The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...

displays, with an homage to Arcimboldo

Giuseppe Arcimboldo

Giuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative portrait heads made entirely of such objects as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and books – that is, he painted representations of these objects on the canvas arranged in such a way that the whole collection of...

. A scene was based on the Birth of Venus

The Birth of Venus (Botticelli)

The Birth of Venus is a painting by Sandro Botticelli. It depicts the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a fully grown woman, arriving at the sea-shore...

painting. The role of Venus was played by Czech supermodel Eva Herzigová

Eva Herzigová

Eva Herzigová is a Czech model and actress.-Early life and career:Herzigová was born in Litvínov, Czechoslovakia . She began her modeling career after winning a modeling beauty contest in Prague in 1989, at the age of sixteen. After arriving in Paris, her popularity increased...

, emerging from a shell like in the Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus (Botticelli)
The Birth of Venus is a painting by Sandro Botticelli. It depicts the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a fully grown woman, arriving at the sea-shore...

by Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli

Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, better known as Sandro Botticelli was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance...

. A dance played a major part in the ceremony, as well as displays of flag waving and baroque

Baroque

bands

Musical ensemble

A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...

.
Sportscaster Bob Costas

Bob Costas

Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...

called it a celebration of the emergence from the dark days of the Middle Ages, embracing the intellectual pursuits of art, literature and music.

From Futurism to Future

Artistic, 9m 30s
205 performers and 24 bambolari
Direction: Enzo Cosimi
Futurist hero: Roberto Bolle
Costumes and props: Daniela Dal Cin
Segment coordinator: Nicola Tamburrano
Set machine realization: Raoul Rossigni
Music: composed and arranged by Ritchie Hawtin ("Substance Abuse" from the F.U.S.E. disc Dimension Intrusion
Dimension Intrusion
Dimension Intrusion is an album released by F.U.S.E., aka Richie Hawtin, as the fifth release on Warp's Artificial Intelligence series, in 1993.-Track listing:All tracks by Richie Hawtin#"A New Day" – 3:53#"F.U." – 7:45#"Slac" – 3:17...

)

The segment started with a modern ballet

Ballet

Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...

performance which led from a replica of Umberto Boccioni

Umberto Boccioni

Umberto Boccioni was an Italian painter and sculptor. Like other Futurists, his work centered on the portrayal of movement , speed, and technology. He was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy.-Biography:...

's sculpture "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" to a celebration of Futurism

Futurism (art)

Futurism was an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It emphasized and glorified themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed, technology, youth and violence, and objects such as the car, the airplane and the industrial city...

.
Roberto Bolle

Roberto Bolle

Roberto Bolle is an Italian ballet dancer. He is currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and also holds guest artist status with The Royal Ballet and La Scala Theatre Ballet, making regular appearances with both companies.- Overview :...

performed as lead in the dance part . He represented the futuristic

Futurism (art)

hero, dancing with other mechanical dancers to show modernity, technology, and speed.
The second part was performed by kung-fu athletes representing futuristic soldiers, while in the final section a group of bodybuilders pushed 6 motorbikes in the center of the stadium, thus emphasizing the role played by speed and technology in Futurism

Futurism (art)

Pit Stop

Artistic, about 4m
Driver: Luca Badoer
Luca Badoer
Luca Badoer is an Italian Formula One driver who has raced for the Scuderia Italia, Minardi, Forti Corse and most recently, Ferrari teams...
Note: this segment was kept secret before the Ceremony and is not reported in the official programme

Italian driver Luca Badoer

Luca Badoer

Luca Badoer is an Italian Formula One driver who has raced for the Scuderia Italia, Minardi, Forti Corse and most recently, Ferrari teams...

drove a red Ferrari

Ferrari

Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...

Formula One

Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...

car bearing only the Olympic Rings, Torino 2006 name and Italian tricolore

Flag of Italy

The flag of Italy is a tricolour featuring three equally sized vertical pales of green, white, and red, with the green at the hoist side...

to the centre of the stadium, performing 'donuts

Doughnut (driving)

A doughnut or donut is a maneuver performed while driving a vehicle. Performing this maneuver entails rotating the rear or front of the vehicle around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, creating a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on a roadway and possibly even cause the tires...

' and revving the V10 engine for a few minutes.

Words and Symbols

Address by the President of the Organising Committee

Address by the President of the International Olympic Committee

President of the Republic of Italy: Opening of the Games

Olympic Anthem

Entry of the Olympic Flag

Olympic Oath

Protocol, 20m
264 performers
Choreography: Doug Jack
Olympic flag coordinator: Nicoletta Mantovani
Protocolcoordinator: Sigrid Guillion Mangilli
Protocol segment Coordinator: Pamela Allvin

After the Parade of Nations had concluded and the athletes were gathered in the center of the stadium, two short speeches in Italian, French and English were delivered.

The first speech came from Valentino Castellani

Valentino Castellani

Valentino Castellani was the independent mayor of Turin, Italy from July 22, 1993-May 31, 2001, when he led the centre-left coalition. He is also a noted university professor and alumni of the Polytechnic University of Turin...

, the chief organizer of the Torino 2006 Olympic Games. He declared the industrial city "the world capital of sports" during the Olympics.

Valentino Castellani was followed by International Olympic Committee

International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...

President Jacques Rogge

Jacques Rogge

Jacques Rogge, Count Rogge , is a Belgian sports bureaucrat. He is the eighth and current President of the International Olympic Committee .-Life and career:...

, who told the Olympic athletes, "Your achievements will inspire and motivate future

Future

The future is the indefinite time period after the present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the nature of the reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently exists and will exist is temporary and will come...

generations," before adding, "Please compete cleanly, without using doping." Rogge also hoped for peace during his short speech. "Our world today is in need of peace and brotherhood, the values of the Olympic Games," he said. "May these Games be held in peace in the true spirit of the Olympic Truce."

Rogge then introduced Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

dr. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is an Italian politician and banker. He was the 73rd Prime Minister of Italy from 1993 to 1994 and was the tenth President of the Italian Republic from 1999 to 2006...

, who declared the games officially open.

Following the trend set from the selection of eight personalities representing the five continents and the three pillars of Olympism at the Salt Lake City Olympics

2002 Winter Olympics

Opening Ceremony, the flag was brought this time into the stadium by eight women:

Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren, OMRI is an Italian actress.In 1962, Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Two Women, along with 21 awards, becoming the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-speaking performance...

, Italian born actress who was the patroness of the Ceremonies;
Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende Llona is a Chilean writer with American citizenship. Allende, whose works sometimes contain aspects of the "magic realist" tradition, is famous for novels such as The House of the Spirits and City of the Beasts , which have been commercially successful...

, Chilean novelist;
Nawal El Moutawakel
Nawal El Moutawakel
Nawal El Moutawakel is a Moroccan hurdler, who won the inaugural women's 400 m hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, thereby becoming the first female Muslim born on the continent of Africa to become an Olympic champion. She was also the first Moroccan and the first woman from a Muslim...

, member of the IOC from Morocco, the first Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal;
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon is an American actress. She has worked in films and television since 1969, and won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking. She had also been nominated for the award for four films before that and has received other recognition for her...

, American actress and activist;
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Muta Mary Jo Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya...

, Nobel laureate and the founder of the Kenyan Green Belt Movement;
Manuela Di Centa
Manuela Di Centa
Manuela Di Centa is an Italian cross-country skier and former Olympic athlete. She is the cousin of former track and field athlete Venanzio Ortis and the sister of cross-country skier Giorgio Di Centa.-Career:...

, Italian seven-time Nordic skiing gold medalist
Maria de Lurdes Mutola, gold medalist from Mozambique;
Somaly Mam
Somaly Mam
Somaly Mam is a Cambodian author and human rights advocate, focusing primarily on needs of victims of human sex trafficking, and has garnered official and media acclaim for her efforts.-Early life:...

, Cambodian human rights activist.

Their walk with the flag was accompanied by Giuseppe Verdi's "Triumphant March," from Aida. The Olympic flag was then handed over to eight members of the Alpini

Alpini

The Alpini, , are the elite mountain warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpini Corps Command. The singular is Alpino ....

, an Italian infantry unit, who raised the flag while the Olympic Hymn was played.

Italian skier Giorgio Rocca

Giorgio Rocca

Giorgio Rocca is an Italian Alpine skier, a specialist in Slalom skiing. Together with Marc Girardelli and Ingemar Stenmark, he is one of three skiers to have won 5 Alpine Skiing World Cup slaloms in a row, which he achieved in the 2005/2006 season: only Alberto Tomba has won more World Cup...

recited the Olympic Oath

Olympic Oath

The Olympic Oath is a solemn promise made by one athlete -- as a representative of each of the participating Olympic competitors; and by one judge -- as a representative of each officiating Olympic referee or other official, at the opening ceremonies of each Olympic Games...

on behalf of all the athletes from the podium followed by Fabio Bianchetti

Fabio Bianchetti

Fabio Bianchetti is a member of the International Skating Union Technical Committee. He took the Judge's Oath at the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening CeremonyHe is the son of Sonia Bianchetti, also a long-time former ISU official.-References:*...

from the International Skating Union

International Skating Union

The International Skating Union is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Netherlands in 1892, making it one of the oldest international...

reading the oath on behalf of all judges. Interestingly it was in the last Winter Games that a scandalous judging controversy was revealed involving the Canadian pair of Jamie Salé

Jamie Salé

Jamie Rae Salé is a Canadian pair skater. With partner David Pelletier, she is a 2002 Olympic Champion and the 2001 World Champion. Salé & Pelletier's Olympic gold medal was shared with the Russian pair Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze after the 2002 Olympic Winter Games figure skating...

and David Pelletier

David Pelletier

David Jacques Pelletier is a Canadian pairs figure skater. With his partner Jamie Salé, he was the co-gold medal winner at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games...

and a French

France

judge who manipulated results to award the Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n pairs a gold medal.

Peace

The Dove

A Song of Peace

Protocol, 6m
40 performers
Direction and choreography: Ivan Manzoni
Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo
Original music: composed, arranged and orchestrated by Michele Centonze, in collaboration with Stefano Nanni

Twenty-eight acrobats

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...

climbed on a net set up on the main stage and executed their choreographed manoeuvres, spinning and flipping to the music. At the end of the routine they all came together and formed the shape of a dove

Dove

Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...

, the symbol of peace

Peace symbol

A number of peace symbols have been used in various cultures and contexts, one of the most ancient being the olive branch. The dove and olive branch was used by early Christians and was later adopted as a secular symbol. It was popularised by Pablo Picasso in 1949 and became widely used in the...

, to a roaring cheer from the crowd.

Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono

is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...

, dressed in white like many of the people in the ceremony (the spectators were provided with, and most wore, a white poncho, symbolizing the snow which makes the Winter Olympics possible (and which was rarely seen in the previous years in Piedmont)), then entered and read a free verse poem from a prepared script calling for peace in the world. She called for "taking action" to spread peace. Ono's poem served as an introduction to a rendition of her late husband John Lennon

John Lennon

John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...

's Imagine
Imagine (song)
"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...

by Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...

Light the Passion

Arrival of the Flame

Lighting of the Cauldron

The Olympic System

Protocol, 6m 20s
Choreography: Doug Jack
Cauldron and torch design: Pininfarina
Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
Original music: "Olimpia", composed, arranged anc orchestrated by Michele Centonze

The Olympic Torch entered the stadium in the hand of Alberto Tomba

Alberto Tomba

Alberto Tomba is an Italian retired alpine ski racer. He was the dominant technical skier in the late 1980s and 1990s. Tomba won three Olympic gold medals, two World Championships, and nine World Cup season titles; four in slalom, four in giant slalom, and one overall title...

, who then passed the flame to the hands of the 1994

1994 Winter Olympics

The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...

men's Italian cross country skiing relay team (Marco Albarello

Marco Albarello

Marco Albarello is an Italian cross country skier who competed from 1982 to 2002. He was born in Aosta. His best known victory was part of the 4 x 10 km relay team that upset Norway at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer...

, Giorgio Vanzetta

Giorgio Vanzetta

Giorgio Vanzetta is an Italian former cross country skier who competed from 1982 to 2002. His best known victory was part of the 4 x 10 km relay team that upset Norway at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer...

, Maurilio De Zolt

Maurilio De Zolt

Maurilio De Zolt is an Italian cross country skier who competed from 1980 to 1997. His best known victory was part of the 4 x 10 km relay team that upset Norway at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, when he was 43 years old...

, and Silvio Fauner

Silvio Fauner

Silvio Fauner is an Italian former cross country skier who competed from 1988. His best known victory was part of the 4 × 10 km relay team that upset Norway at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer...

). The flame was then passed to Piero Gros

Piero Gros

Piero Gros is an Italian former champion alpine ski racer. He won the gold medal in slalom at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, and was World Cup overall champion in 1974.-Biography:...

, then Deborah Compagnoni

Deborah Compagnoni

Deborah Compagnoni is an Italian former Alpine skier who won three gold medals at the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics.-Career:Deborah Compagnoni was born in Bormio, northern Lombardy....

before the Olympic Flame

Olympic Flame

The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928...

was lit by former Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo

Stefania Belmondo

Stefania Belmondo is an Italian former cross-country skier.-Debut:Belmondo was born in Vinadio, in the province of Cuneo , the daughter of a housewife and an electric company employee....

. Belmondo paused to show the torch to the cheering crowd one last time before placing it on the arched lighting apparatus. The flame initiated a series of fireworks before lighting the top of the 57-meter high Olympic Flame

Olympic Flame

, the highest in the history of the Olympic Winter Games.http://mediacenter.corriere.it/MediaCenter/action/player?uuid=20d2ef64-9a88-11da-a3c1-0003ba99c667&pagina=8&filtro=video&menu=main2&idCanale=Sport&idCanaleADV=Sport

The cauldron lighting was also the first in recent memory to be lit indirectly, that is, the flame did not directly touch or travel to (such as the arrow lighting at the 1992 Summer Olympics

1992 Summer Olympics

The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...

) the cauldron itself. The precise timing of the pyrotechnics was obviously computer timed from the precise moment the flame touched the center frame in the center of the stadium. Because of the elaborate fireworks, it is highly unlikely the flame travelled to all the charges directly. However, it is possible that the cauldron was lit from a backup flame inside, or that an electronic signal from Belmondo's apparatus to the cauldron served as the "flame" (much like the 1976 Summer Olympics

1976 Summer Olympics

The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...

where a satellite signal carried the "flame" from Greece to Canada, though not at the opening ceremony).

Fortissimo

Allegro with Fire

Artistic, 7min
Direction: Marco Balich
Chandelier design: Jacopo Foggini
Pyrotechnical effects: Christophe Berthonneau
Segment coordinator: Vichi Lombardo

After the largest curtain

Curtain

A curtain is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, or drafts, or water in the case of a shower curtain. Curtains hung over a doorway are known as portières...

yet to be built revealed him on the stage

Stage (theatre)

In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...

, Italian tenor

Tenor

The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...

Luciano Pavarotti

right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...

, wearing a black cape embroidered with silver Olympic rings, ended the ceremony by singing Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini was an Italian composer whose operas, including La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, are among the most frequently performed in the standard repertoire...

's well-known aria Nessun Dorma
Nessun dorma
Nessun dorma is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, and is one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera. It is sung by Calaf, il principe ignoto , who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot...

from the opera Turandot
Turandot
Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.Though Puccini's first interest in the subject was based on his reading of Friedrich Schiller's adaptation of the play, his work is most nearly based on the earlier text Turandot...

, which ends with the victorious line "At dawn, I shall win!" Pavarotti's performance caused NBC Olympic commentator Brian Williams

Brian Williams

Brian Douglas Williams is the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, the evening news program of the NBC television network, a position he assumed in 2004...

to proclaim "And the master brings the house down." Indeed, the tenor's performance received the longest and loudest ovation of the opening ceremony from the international crowd. This would prove to be Pavarotti's final public performance of his signature song.

However, Pavarotti lip-synched his own performance because Leone Magiera, the maestro who conducted the aria, felt the cold weather made it difficult for Pavarotti, who was in pain from cancer treatment, to perform live.

Security measures

Security was present at the Opening Ceremony as has become the norm for the Olympics. Organizers have stepped up the security measures in connection with the contemporary Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after 12 editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005...

and they insisted that the Olympic Games are going to be safe.

Dignitaries and other officials in attendance

Aside from celebrities participating in the ceremonies and members of the International Olympic Committee, the following dignitaries and officials associated with the Olympic movement were in attendance.

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki is a Greek business woman. She is best known for being the president of the bidding and organizing committee for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece...

, Organizer of the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
Cherie Blair
Cherie Blair
Cherie Blair , known professionally as Cherie Booth QC, is a British barrister working in the legal system of England and Wales. She is married to the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair; the couple have three sons and one daughter...

, Wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...

, former First Lady of the United States, and her daughter Barbara
Harald V
Harald V of Norway
Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...

and Queen Sonja
Queen Sonja of Norway
Queen Sonja of Norway is the wife of King Harald V of Norway.-Prior to marriage:Sonja was born in Oslo on 4 July 1937 as the daughter of clothing merchant Karl August Haraldsen and Dagny Ulrichsen .Queen Sonja grew up in the district of Vinderen in Oslo and completed her lower secondary schooling...

, King and Queen of Norway
Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. As the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on...

, President of Germany
Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz
Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz
Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz is a Polish conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of Poland from October 31, 2005 to July 14, 2006...

, Prime Minister of Poland
Rita Levi-Montalcini
Rita Levi-Montalcini
Rita Levi-Montalcini , Knight Grand Cross is an Italian neurologist who, together with colleague Stanley Cohen, received the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of nerve growth factor...

, Nobel prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...

winning physiologist and Italian senator-for-life
Senator for life
A senator for life is a member of the senate or equivalent upper chamber of a legislature who has life tenure. , 7 Italian Senators out of 322, 4 out of the 47 Burundian Senators and all members of the British House of Lords have lifetime tenure...
Luca di Montezemolo
Luca di Montezemolo
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is an Italian businessman and Chairman of Ferrari. He was also Chairman of Fiat S.p.A from 2004 to 2010 and President of Confindustria from 2004 to 2008 and FIEG. He comes from an aristocratic family from the region of Piedmont in Italy...

, President and CEO of Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...

and chairman of FIAT
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...

, Organizer of the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...

, and Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
Matti Vanhanen
Matti Vanhanen
Matti Taneli Vanhanen is a Finnish politician. He is a former Prime Minister of Finland and a former Chairman of the Centre Party. In the second half of 2006 he was President of the European Council. In his earlier career he was a journalist...

, Prime Minister of Finland
Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
Premier of British Columbia
The Premier of British Columbia is the first minister, head of government, and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of British Columbia. Until the early 1970s the title Prime Minister of British Columbia was often used...

, host Canadian province of the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...

Italian Prime Minister

Prime minister of Italy

The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...

Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi , also known as Il Cavaliere – from knighthood to the Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977 – is an Italian politician and businessman who served three terms as Prime Minister of Italy, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi is also the...

was absent.

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