The debate over whether to refer to the host city of this year’s Winter Olympics as Torino or Turin seemed moot within minutes of our arrival in that ancient city. The references to “Torino 2006” on signs, banners and merchandise were as ubiquitous in the former Italian capital as cigarette smoke, gelato stands, and the toy-like Fiat cars that clog the narrow streets.
My dad and I just returned from five exciting but exhausting days at the Winter Games in Italy. We’re both big fans of the Olympics, summer and winter, so it was difficult to decide which events we most wanted to see.
We ended up seeing six different competitions, and I wasn’t disappointed by any of them. My two favorites were a thrilling hockey game between the United States and Russia, and a short track skating competition (yes, I caught the fever!) featuring Apolo Anton Ohno.
As a snowboarder, I also enjoyed watching the parallel slalom competition held on a warm sunny day at the Alpine resort of Bardonecchia.
When we weren’t attending Olympic events or traveling to and from the many far-flung venues (I hope I don’t have to see the inside of a train, taxi, or shuttle bus for at least a month), we had time to explore some of the sights, customs and tastes of Torino, a city that is thousands of years old.
On the famous Piazza San Carlo, we met and talked with athletes and fans from numerous countries, held the bronze medals of the U.S. women’s hockey team, listened to a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli, and ate pasta and risotto at a popular but chaotic restaurant. (We found out very quickly that if we wanted hot food, we’d better find a ristorante as opposed to a mere cafe).
Meeting so many friendly and enthusiastic people from other countries made the world seem like a much smaller place to me than it had before.
Of course, it got even smaller when we bumped into a couple of friends from Woodside on a snowy, sub-zero morning in the tiny village of Sestriere. We had another “small world” experience one night as we ate at a very good Chinese restaurant in the town of Avigliana. We listened in amazement as the China-born owners and staff excitedly discussed the day’s Olympic results with patrons in a strange blend of Chinese, Italian and English.
I wish everyone could experience the camaraderie and “one world” spirit of the games. We hear so much these days about the hatred between nations, and the dislike and envy of the U.S. by other countries and people. Nothing of the kind is evident at the Olympics.
Fans are there to cheer on their own country’s athletes, but are quick to applaud a good performance by another nation. We heard nothing but positive words about America and its athletes from the visitors from other countries.
The world will continue to have its problems but, to paraphrase a line from a famous movie: “We’ll always have Torino.” (“We’ll always have Turin” just doesn’t have the same ring). On to Beijing!
Ross Merrill is a freshman at Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton. He lives in Woodside.
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