Ciao from Italy!
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Missy and I are having fun in Torino, Italy. I’m staying busy with media and appearances and taking in lots of the action. It’s certainly a different perspective than my last two Olympic Games, but I’m making the most of it and having fun. Every Olympics is indeed unique!
I am impressed with what an interesting city Torino is. I’ve really enjoyed touring the sights of the city on foot and checking it out. I’ve put some mileage on my dogs the past week. The highlights have been the Mole Antonelliana, the Museo della Sindone (museum of the Shroud of Turin), Piazza San Giovanni and Basilica and seeing the Sindone (Shroud of Turin). Everything is so old here. We’re staying with our friend Fabrizio in downtown Torino. His apartment was built in 1723; it’s older than our country. That explains the slow dial-up connection and the weak water pressure! The beams supporting the ceiling look like they are three hundred years old.
It’s so much fun walking the narrow streets at night exploring the piazza’s and storefronts and frequenting the cafes. I’m looking forward to going to the Museo Egizo this afternoon, supposedly it’s one of the best Egyption collections outside Cairo and London. I’m surviving on a strict diet of caprese, pasta, tiramisu and vino rosa (only one glass for liver boy though, gotta pace myself). Saturday night all of the shops and cafes stay open all night for what is called “White night.†Last Saturday was like Mardi Gras. The Italians embrace any occasion to celebrate and stay up all night and the Olympics have afforded many.
The Turinesse (people of Torino) have great pride in their city and their culture and are wonderful hosts of the Olympic Games. One of my favorite memories of these Games so far took place walking home the other night from Piazza San Carlo, following the Ricky Martin concert, which was a big hit here in Italy. Twenty thousand plus filled P. San Carlo enjoying the show. Everyone flooded from the piazza in all directions dancing and singing. Renaissance marching bands emerged parading through the crowd playing traditional music. Thousands of Italians joined in harmony and waved Italian Flags. We were shoulder to shoulder for as far as I could see. It was beautiful to see an entire city celebrating its culture and the Olympics.
The Bardonecchia Snowboard Venue was spectacular. They did an awesome job with it. The PGS course and halfpipe looked perfect. It hurt to watch the PGS Snowboard Race on Wednesday in Bardonecchia. I know that I could have done well. It wasn’t easy, but I put a smile on my face to support my teammate and cheer on my World Cup friends. Even if I can’t race I’ll always be a snowboard fan. Watching my longtime teammate and friend Rosey Fletcher from AK win Bronze yesterday was a highlight of the Olympics for me. She has been on the circuit a longtime and has paid her dues. If I couldn’t win a medal here there’s no one I would have wished more to do so than Rosey. We were present last night for her medals presentation followed by Lou Reed in concert. It was fun, but I think the Italians prefer Ricky Martin.
One of the fun things at this Olympics is that I’ve been able to see more events than ever. I took Missy to the figure skating the other night, and actually enjoyed it (don’t tell anyone). Ricky Martin concerts and figure skating, what’s wrong with me? The Italians are getting to me. We’ve taken in a few hockey matches as well, which are always exciting. Too bad the American men’s squad couldn’t advance to the medal round. Watching Julia Mancuso win Gold in Women’s GS this morning was inspiring. I’m looking forward to short track finals tomorrow night.
In the days ahead I will be helping to promote the DHL Olympic Spirit Award which I won in 2002. The award honors individual U.S. Olympic athletes (male and female) and teams who best exemplify the Olympic Spirit both in competition and in pursuit of their Olympic dream. You can be a part of Olympic history and help us celebrate this year’s extraordinary Olympic performances and outstanding spirit by voting online for the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award winners at: www.dhl-usa.com. You can vote once a day (per e-mail address) for the U.S. Olympic Spirit Awards Delivered by DHL thru February 26, 2006.
Sunday I travel to Russia to resume the World Cup tour with two slaloms in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I am excited to get back in the starting gate. I look forward to a strong finish to the season and beyond. Hopefully podiums ahead! Ciao from Italy! Talk to ya from Russia,Chris KlugView of Torino from atop the Mole