Notebook
After Meeting the Challenge, Italian Job Is Done
From News Services
Monday, February 27, 2006; Page E10
TURIN, Italy, Feb. 26 -- With a dreamlike, Fellini-style circus of clowns and acrobats -- one of them winged and floating on a snowboard, as if by magic -- Turin found a fitting way to say goodbye to a Winter Games that mixed occasional fiasco with many moments of grace and glory.
Some athletes wore red clown noses Sunday night as they swarmed across the Olympic Stadium's huge stage, waving jubilantly to a backdrop of bouncy Italian songs. Many of the 35,000 spectators donned devil and angel masks in a Closing Ceremonies that doubled as Carnevale -- the annual festival celebrated across Italy this weekend.
  Vancouver, B.C., Mayor Sam Sullivan looks to carry on the Olympic tradition in his city in 2010. (By Koji Sasahara -- Associated Press) |
Italy had an extra reason to celebrate -- a brand-new national hero as headliner of the first medal ceremony included in a Winter Games' closing festivities. After an Olympics that often lacked star power, Italy's Giorgio di Centa filled the void with a final-day victory in the 50-kilometer cross-country race.
The crowd erupted in cheers and waved a sea of tiny Italian flags as di Centa and his fellow medalists strode to the podium. Helping bestow the medals was di Centa's sister, Manuela, an International Olympic Committee member and former cross-country medalist.
Before declaring the Games closed, IOC President Jacques Rogge described the Turin Olympics as "truly magnificent."
"You have succeeded brilliantly in meeting your challenge," he told organizers. "Grazie, Torino."
Just before Rogge spoke, an intruder approached the microphone and shouted, "Passion lives in Torino" before being whisked away by security officers. Police said the man was not Italian; he was taken into custody for questioning.
The spotlight then shifted to Vancouver, B.C., host of the 2010 Games, with the raising of Canada's Maple Leaf flag and a sonorous rendition of "O Canada" by British Columbia-born opera star Ben Heppner. In a relay, an Olympic flag was handed by Turin Mayor Sergio Chiamparino to Rogge and then to Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan.
A quadriplegic since breaking his neck skiing at 19, Sullivan was unable to grasp the flag pole himself. Instead, he had his motorized wheelchair fitted with a cylinder to hold the flag and spun around in it several times to make the flag flutter, to the crowd's delight.
Among the VIPs attending: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who waited until the final day to make his first visit to the Games, and a U.S. delegation that included former New York City mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and auto racing great Mario Andretti. Berlusconi was greeted with a mix of cheers and jeers when he was introduced.
The intended stars of the evening -- the athletes -- entered to the backdrop of "Volare," "That's Amore" and other classics. Among the flag-bearers were several gold medal winners, including U.S. speedskater Joey Cheek, Russian figure skater Evgeni Plushenko and Canadian speedskater Cindy Klassen, who won a Games-high five medals.
Ovechkin Named All-Star
Washington Capitals rookie forward Alex Ovechkin was named to the all-star team for Olympic men's hockey, which was chosen by international media members. Ovechkin, playing for his native Russia, had five goals in eight games.
Players for silver medal-winning Finland dominated the team, including goalie Antero Niittymaki, defenseman Kimmo Timonen and forwards Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom of the champion Swedes also made the team.
Another Donation
Inspired by Cheek's example, Chinese short-track Olympic medalist Yang Yang said Sunday she'll donate her $10,000 bronze medal bonus to Right to Play, a charity that helps children in areas ravaged by conflict.
"As you know, I'm retiring after these Games," she said at a news conference. "I want to leave something for sports and expand the influence of sports in China and the world."
The donation helps push the funds raised for the charity during the Turin Games to nearly $400,000.
