Soon the world will be glued to the television watching celebrities run with fire, fly through the air and pursue one-another in high-speed chases. No, they won’t be watching the latest reality show or an episode of Cops: They will be tuned into the 2006 Winter Olympics.
This Feb. 10-26, an estimated 2,500 athletes from 85 nations will travel to Torino, Italy, for
the XX Winter Games. The Paralympic Winter Games, for elite athletes with physical or visual impairments, are set for March 10-19 in Torino.
Many spectators don’t realize it, but just like the Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament and Wimbledon, the Olympics are the climax of a challenging series of qualifying events held during the months leading up to the Games. Each year, the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) hosts a number of World Cup events that help each nation determine which athletes will make their respective Olympic teams.
“Historically, we’ve found the best way to select athletes who will have the best opportunity for Olympic success is from head-to-head competition against essentially the same field they will face in the Olympics,” said Alan Ashley, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association vice president of athletics. “It’s a very objective process, based on results. Coaches have a bit of discretion if they need it in rare cases.”
By the time this article goes to print, the world’s 85 Olympic teams will be named and athletes’ winning strategies will be planned. The Olympic torch will be nearing the end of its 8,264-mile journey after having passed through the hands of 10,535 torchbearers. Over a million people will be packing their bags and preparing to land in mountainous Torino to watch competitions for which they’ve paid between $34 (for Biathlon “C” seats) and $185 (for Alpine skiing and ski jumping “A” seats) per ticket.
Over 2 billion people will watch the opening ceremony on television Feb. 10, which costs $420-$1,260 to attend.
There are few things on which the world’s many nations agree, but one is the importance of hosting this highly anticipated event. Setting political, social, religious and cultural differences aside, athletes from around the globe will have nothing to fight for but pride as they put their best foot – or skate, or ski – forward this February.
Resources to Get You in the Games:
Official Site of the 2006 Winter Games:
Schedules, news, athlete bios and more; www.torino2006.org
Official Blog for the 2006 Winter Games:
Olympic news from around the world; www.2006-winter-olympics-turin-italy.com/blog/
Site for the U.S. Olympic Team:
Athlete bios, Olympic FAQ’s, news; www.usolympicteam.com
Site for NBC:
Television coverage schedules, news, maps, more; www.nbcolympics.com
Hometown Hopefuls
Keep an eye on local all-stars
Photos courtesy of U.S. Olympic teams.
For the past few months, U.S. winter sports athletes have been vying for sacred spots
on the 2006 Winter Olympic Games team. Whether driving a bobsled or heating up the ice, the Pacific Northwest athletes below have what it takes to compete in Torino, Italy this February. Outdoors NW wishes these Hometown Hopefuls the best of luck in their quest for Olympic gold.
Update:
Scott McCartney of Redmond, Wash., was named to the 2006 U.S. Men’s Alpine Olympic ski team. He finished second in the Men’s Alpine World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany on Jan. 29 – the first World Cup podium finish of his career.
Libby Ludlow of Bellevue, Wash., was named to the 2006 U.S. Women’s Alpine Olympic ski team.
Leslee Olson of Bend, Ore., will not be going to Torino, Italy this February to compete in the Olympic Snowboardcross events. Only one female made the 2006 U.S. Snowboardcross Olympic team.- Lindsey Jacobellis of Stratton, Vt.
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