Torino 2006——Olympic Winter Games

Feb 10 2006 

The Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games have officially started. They were sanctioned by the President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, with his words addressed to athletes, technicians and spectators: "I declare the celebration of the Torino 2006 XX Olympic Winter Games officially open".

This was emphasised by Jacques Rogge, IOC President, and Valentino Castellani, TOROC President; Rocca made it all official with his oath but, above all, it was determined by the most eagerly awaited and exciting gesture of the entire Opening Ceremony: the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by Stefania Belmondo. The Olympic champion from Pragelato was preceded, in the Olympic Stadium, by a series of champions who made the history of Italian winter sports: Alberto Tomba, Piero Gros, Deborah Compagnoni the Lillehammer cross-country skiers Fauner, Albarello, Vanzetta and De Zolt. Stefi collected the Torch from Deborah with the smile of her most beautiful victories, as she had been hoping to do in the days prior to the Olympic Winter Games. 

 

Details:

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