'Bring It On'? Not Exactly

Whether the announcement was made in Italian ("Accogliamo le nostre cheerleaders!") or English ("Please welcome our cheerleaders!"), the introduction of cheerleaders to the 2006 Olympics is doing nothing to add sizzle to the sparse, lifeless crowds at Turin's Lingotto Oval, which hosts the men's and women's speedskating events.

American-style cheerleaders are generally an alien concept in Europe, but Italian Olympic organizers decided cheerleaders could help pump up the crowds during ice hockey, speedskating and Alpine skiing events. So they began holding auditions in December, noting in the job description that "the ability to move to the music is needed to become an Olympic cheerleader."

Early indications are they set the bar too high.

Dressed in neon-orange leg warmers, white pleated skirts and orange-and-gold sweaters, a squad of Olympic cheerleaders trotted onto center ice during the intermission between the two races that composed the men's 500 Monday and started hopping around to Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero," a pulsating dance track from the 1984 movie, "Footloose." In rows of three, the cheerleaders jogged in place while shaking gold and orange pompoms, then did a few Highland fling-inspired steps. They threw in some waist-high kicks and then split into two formations, with one group striking a pose while the other group did cartwheels. They never uttered a peep nor held up signs that read, "Rah!" Let's Go!" or "Andiamo!" Within minutes they mercifully jogged off as a puzzled crowd offered tepid applause.

"I thought it was a little odd," U.S. speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez said after yesterday's women's 500, where the cheerleaders also performed. "It was random."

Asked if it added to the atmosphere, Rodriguez said: "No. It made me laugh, actually. I was like, 'What is this?' "

With or without cheerleaders, crowds have been disappointing at the Turin Olympics. The women's moguls event wasn't sold out, and there were empty seats in the stands for snowboarding's men's halfpipe.

Former Olympic champion speedskater Bonnie Blair, who attended Monday's men's 500, said she was surprised by all the empty seats. "Usually the men's 500 is a packed house," Blair said. "I was wondering, did people miss their bus?"

The venue was less than half full for the women's 500 and all but lifeless unless a Dutch or Italian skater took the ice.

"I'm really surprised," said five-time Olympian Chris Witty, who finished 28th out of 30 skaters. "Usually there's a lot more Dutch fans out there, but I guess women's sprinting is not their priority right now."

-- Liz Clarke

Love and Faith

In retrospect, it was probably the wrong day to go shopping in a jewelry store. Apparently Americans and Italians have one thing in common: putting off buying Valentine's Day gifts till the last minute.

I had the store to myself yesterday morning for about 20 minutes before the first desperate Italian man buzzed to be let in. Soon the little shop was full: one tourist, five desperate husbands/lovers/sons.

One man seemed to be buying a wedding band, but I couldn't follow the transaction. None of the three signoras behind the glassed-in counters understood a word of English, and I don't speak a word of Italian, at least none that would work in a jewelry store.

What drew me there was a window display of religious icons, perfect gifts for several elderly Irish Catholic cousins on my list.

First I pointed, but there were too many items to be clear. "Pope," I tried. Nothing. "John Paul." Nothing again. Then I remembered: "Il Papa!"

Smiles all around, cries of "Il Papa! Giovanni!" and the ladies flew into action. A parade of icons of the late pontiff followed, as well as Madonnas and saints I couldn't identify, so many that I'm covered for St. Patrick's Day, Easter and maybe even Christmas.

-- Tracee Hamilton