Torino
November 06, 2005
The city itself was beautiful. There was a bit of fog almost every day we were there, but that is to expect in November. The Opening and Closing Ceremony Stadium, called the Stadio Comunale, a football stadium that’s been closed since 1990, was receiving an extensive makeover for the Games. It sat just adjacent to the Palasport Olimpico, the steely new ice hockey stadium designed by Tokyo-based architect Arata Isozakj, where the men and women will skate at in February. The very first hockey game played on that facility was Team USA versus Finland, where Natalie Darwitz netted the lone goal. (I told her after the game that I hoped she would score the very last goal in that rink as well…in the gold medal final this time.)
We were supposed to tour the all-new 70,000 sq-meter Olympic Village in the Lingotto district, but it is only about halfway finished at this point, so we did not stop by. We did hear that when finished, there would be a cafeteria, shopping mall, recreation areas, medical facilities, Internet sites, and over 2500 beds for athletes. Instead, we used our free time one day to walk around the city center. The Palazzo Madama, the part-medieval, part-baroque castle dominates the main square. It was built in the 13th century, serving as a prison, barracks, royal cellar, senate and court over the years. Besides the main square, many of us visited a local pizza shop for a slice and a gelaterria, for an amazing cup of gelato. Caffe is by far the best in my opinion. It is very similar to ice cream, but my more creamy and smooth and a few less calories. And finally, many members of our team hit up the Versace, Gucci, and Prada stores to spend some of our per diem…we are women after all!