Well On the Road to Success

The IOC Coordination Commission has been conducting their review preparations for the Torino 2006 Games. Chairman Hean-Claude Killy said: "In terms of the seven years it takes to work on hosting the Olympic Games, the Opening Ceremony for Torino 2006 is now only a moment away. In and around Turin, great preparation work has been accomplished. The IOC is confident that one final effort from the Torino 2006 team, working as one, will lead to wonderfully successful Games. The world's best winter sports athletes deserve nothing less."

In an effort to prepare, public authorities have been working hand-in-hand to successfully complete the necessary tasks and to stay on focused on organization. In addition to the cooperation and efforts of local administrators, the Torch is expected to arouse the deep roots of sports passion that runs within the veins of Italians. A festive time of action and spirit is beginning to fan the Torch's flame and will show its full potential in about 60 days.

The preparation, taking almost six to seven years now, is finally coming to fruition, thanks in part to the IOC's ability to "get the show on the road." They are pretty confident in the public's anticipation and satisfaction with what has been accomplished. I only wish I could be there to see it in person!

Medals and more...

(picture supplied by Olympic site)





Olympic medals have been created and casted! Just take a look at this gorgeous picture! They have definitely impressed me by their design and creativity.

Presented to the IOC, the concept was created by the TOROC graphic team and Ottaviani International. A round design with an empty space in the center represents the Italian piazza. The medal will be wrapped in its ribbon, and presents the elements of the Games on its front and will display the individual sport division on the back. There are even satin and shiny finishes that complement one another within the design.

The medals were designed to incorporate the "views, ideas, and models" from Italian history and its traditional forms of "rings, ancient coins, and ornaments." The round center representing the piazza also symbolizes the heart of the athelte when it hangs around the atheletes neck and lays upon his or her heart.

Being a beginning designer and having a love for design myself, I think that the incorporated views and ideas to create these medals has come from the heart of the Italians desire for passion. I think the atheletes who achieve their place as medalists will fall in love with their rewards for hard and heart-earned effort!

Whole New World

The upcoming opening and closing ceremonies for the XX Winter Games have been assured to give the public a spectacular performance. Sneak peaks have been released including, but not nearly limited to the following:

Appearances and performances by Giorgio Armani and dancer Roberto Bolle, "Sparks of Passion" show of "flying" athletes and sparks of fire, and the three elements of passion, "Italianness," and dynamism. All will take place in the newly renovated Turin Olympic Stadium.

An exciting time for the people of Europe and especially the Italians is coming up where they can show the world what they're all about. Their passion for life and competition should be an eye-opener to those who would think otherwise, but I think the effort they're putting into these Olympic Games will show some of their core values.

The ceremonies should be very impressive. From the previous ones that I have seen, most recently the ones from Salt Lake City, there is no shortage of amazement. What designers and choreographers accomplish for the audiences is breathtaking. I hope that the people of Italy strike us with amazement once again!

Heart of a Volunteer

Volunteering. A heart for passion and a purpose. That's what the Noi2006 Team is striving towards for this year's Olympics. Being the "heart of the Games," the Torino volunteers will be busy having big and small chores to accomplish throughout the December, January, February months.

Ranging from reception, to accreditation, ticketing, track and prep work, and press services are just some of the many 350 different jobs that are required for the success of the Torino Olympic Games. These people, whether they be on the TV screen or behind the scenes are the ones who make the Olympics possible.

Isn't that the beauty of volunteering? Working behind the scenes is not only fun, but it gives you the quiet satisfaction of a job well-done, a job that couldn't have been accomplished without you. So in a way, it is a positive way to have a sense of pride and satisfaction; a chance to really be a part of such a great selection of events.

The more I've thought about the opportunity to be a volunteer, the more I want to take the chance and volunteer at the next set of Winter Olympics. Who knows? Maybe when 2012 rolls around, I'll be able to take a trip up to Vancouver, Canada for a LONG vacation and be a part of the Games! What a story that would be...

And It's Off!

From 776 B.C. up to today, November 27th, 2006, the Olympic values of "loyalty, brotherhood, peace and unity among peoples," has continued through the official lighting of the Torch.

The official lighting of the torch took place this morning in Athens, Greece, and will begin it's journey through this great country, fly to Italy on a C-130, arrive in Rome, and then begin it's trek to Torino. It is scheduled to stop at a long list of Italian provinces to tell the country and world of the upcoming XX Games.

What an exciting time for the torch to begin it's journey! I just got back from my Thanksgiving break, and seeing this headline was something that made my eyes twinkle. The thought of all these sports competitions in the snow, or on ice... Amazing!!!

I've always grown up in a town where there is snow in the winter. I've grown to have respect for winter sports. Maybe this is why this topic is so interesting and exciting to me. I hope that in the next few weeks, you, my readers will be able to taste a little of the passion for the Olympics. I don't think I have stressed the passion the atheletes have for their sports enough. Olympians trains months and years day in and day out for just 17 days of competition. Seventeen days. That's it. Seventeen intense days where if you give anything less than 100% effort and passion, you don't win. But winning isn't the sole point, now is it? It's the experience of seeing the worlds best athletes compete side by side. And for someone to say, "Yeah, I skated with Kristi Yamaguchi," or "I competed with the world's greatest bobsled team," leaves Olympians in a state of awe and humility.

So, I hope you get the chance to find, or continue reading up on this great sporting event. It's a once in a lifetime experience you won't regret!

Wishing upon a star... or live video streaming...

The Olympic ads have begun! Since I was home this week for Thanksgiving break, I was able to watch a t.v. here and there... and POOF! There was an ad for the Olympics on! It got me that much more excited about this February! Being a college student, and not having a whole lot of "tube-time," I'm really hoping I will be able to get some sort of t.v. in my room for the duration of the Winter Games... If I don't... I will be highly disappointed.

So here's a question I'd like to answer in the next few weeks: will there be video streaming of the games so I can watch in on broad-band?? This would be amazing! No fuzzing t.v. screen because the "rabbit ears" arent' working and because we don't have a dish for the dorm. Just clear video streaming from Italy itself on my P.C. That would be amazing.

So like I said, it's a question I want to answer in the next few weeks... if I don't have to buy a t.v. before the end of Christmas break, I don't want to! There's just too much available through the Web! Why not use what we already have?!

Stay tuned in!

News Update

Alrighty! Time is now winding down, or rather winding up until the Olympic torch starts it's journey and about 100 days till the start of the winter games!
On the US Olympic Team official website, there are last minute "hopefuls" that are waiting to compete and show their true talents. The next question will be whether or not they will be able to complete the tasks set before them in the next 100 days.
Among the anticipated athletes are: figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen, skiers Bode Miller and Jeremy Bloom, speed skaters Apolo Ohno and Shani Davis, and bobsledder Vonetta Flowers. All of these atheletes have gone through much ordeal in recent months and years ranging from personal injuries, family life and tragedies, missing qualifications for competitions and just the daily struggles of improving technicalities within their sports. It will be interesting and exciting to see these athletes overcome their troubles and get back "in the groove," as it were. To read up on more of what's happening in these potential Olympians, check out www.usolympicteam.com/117_40187.htm @ the US Team's site. (Pictures from www.usolympicteam.com)

In other news regarding "last-minute" finishing touches to the Olympic sites in Torino...
-testing for the hockey rinks, one of the last to be built: tournaments for both men & women to be held soon.
-checking curves to the luge tracks: injuries @ a previous event
-completing speedskating tracks in time to be tested
-IOC & Italian officials working through law enforcement policies
-securing budget and avoiding cuts that could produce set-backs

Skating from the Heart

I wanted to take at least one post to say a little about Sergei and Katerina Gordeeva. The magnificent skating pair was one of the best on the ice and their love for one another ran deeper than most would ever know. Growing up together, the two became partners at a fairly early age, eventually married, and had a baby girl: Daria.

But one day in November 1995 would change this skating pair and family's life forever. In a practice session in Lake Placid, NY, Sergei died of a heart attack, leaving Katia alone in the skating realm. Throughout the pain, Katia continued to skate and tributed the couple's life and skating career in the NY Best Seller: My Sergei.

In a very memorable tribute on ice, Katia skated the last of the program. At the end of a very emotional program, Daria came out on the ice and Katia took the last part of Sergei she had left her in her arms. It was an occasion that I'm sure both of them will always look back upon & never forget.

I haven't had the chance to read her book yet, but I have it in my posession and am planning to read it in the next few months. It's inspirational to see a couple who won multiple gold medals at the Olympics and had such a love for one another. I hope that Sergei & Katia's legacy lives on in the sport of skating and that the Olympic athletes see this story as one to encourage their efforts and passion for their sport.

Traveling Olympic Passion

"Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and more" is traveling all over the world (Strasbourg, Beijing, Aichi, Helsinki, Vancouver, London, Lausanne) to convey the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and its Values, to communicate the positive identity of the Torino 2006 edition, and to highlight the Italian culture together with the strong character of the City and the surrounding territory hosting the Games." --Official Site of Torino 2006 Olympics

Starting on the 26th of October and continuing on through the 31st, the promoting of the Winter Games arrives in New York City. Hosted by Time Warner, the program has high hopes to transmit to the public the values and goals of the Olympics, as well as spread their "Passion" theme.

The exhibit will include three sections:
1.) Design & Building Sports
2.) Olympic Winter Games, History, and Values
3.) The Olympic Territory

The goal of these traveling exhibits not only will engage the public to be excited about the upcoming Games, but to have a deeper knowledge and appreciation for the sports, cultures and countries involved!

From Bob Marley to Bobsledding

Ever seen the movie "Cool Runnings" about the Olympic bobsled team from Jamacia? This movie was based on the debut team from the tropics was a favorite to the crowds for the 1988 Olympics at Calgary. Who would've ever thought that a team from an Island in the Atlantic would bring a bobsled team to the Winter Olympics? Although the Jamacians didn't place at this set of Olympics there is the amazing fact that ever since 1988, they've shown the rest of the world that they're not joking. In 1994, they placed 14th ahead of the American teams! Known for it's fast sprinters, Jamacia actually would be an ideal country to send such a team, (seeing as how the "running start" for bobsled teams takes a great deal of speed and stamina.) So, maybe this coming February will bring us a surprise from Jamacia; not only it's reggae and dreads, but maybe a medal team.

Miracle on Ice; Renewed Hope

Another favorite Olympic memory that I absolutely love to reminisce over would be that of the US Hockey Team defeating the Soviet Union and going on to win the gold medal. In a time where American morale was far and few between, the Cold War was approaching it's peak and a shaken economy was taking hold of our country's heart, the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, held a glimmer of hope for a people in dire need of uplifting.

(picture from: http://espn.go.com/classic/s/miracle_ice_1980.html)

"For people who were born between 1945 and 1955, they know where they were when John Kennedy was shot, when man walked on the moon, and when the USA beat the Soviet Union in Lake Placid."-Dave Ogrean, former executive director of USA Hockey

The Soviet Union whose hockey team was champions for several straight years in a row, was shocked by the United States' comback in Placid, when only weeks before they had defeated them in a 10-3 disaster at Madison Square Garden. For a team that "didn't have enough talent to win on talent alone," as quoted from coach Herb Brooks, the American's had excellent players such as:
Mark Johnson
Neal Broten
"Coneheads" Mark Pavelich, John Harrington, and Buzz Scheneider
Ken Morrow
Dave Christian
Mike Ramsey
Rob McClanahan
Jack O'Callahan
Goalie: Jimmy Craig

In a single night in 1980, this game and eventually the win against Finland for the gold created a renewal passion and hope in America. With all the uncertainty of the times surrounding them, a sense of control was finally within reach.

I hope to write some more on this "legend," but until then!