 
On Friday, February 24, 2006, a rainy day in Torino, Italy, Chris stands in front of one of the many entrance signs at Oval Lingotto, the Olympic Speed Skating venue.
Sitting in front of us inside the skating venue were the Nelsons, Gunther and Helga. "Jaaaaaa, they're from Sweeeedeen."
Colorful costumes are a tradition at the Olympics. This group from Austria was waiting for a taxi to one of the events. How they got in the taxi, and how the women sit in those outfits is beyond me. I also wondered if Donna Bumpas knows that Joe is at the Olympics.
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 With the 2006 Winter Olympics taking place a few hundred miles to the north of Rome, we just couldn't resist the opportunity to attend at least one of the events, and to experience the atmosphere. 
Admittedly this dog has nothing to do with the Torino Olympics, but in the central square he was the main attraction; a canine gold medalist if you like. His name is Goliath (appropriately so), and he posed endlessly for pictures with both visitors and locals alike. I must say he was the biggest dog I ever saw, sort of cross between a Saint Bernard and the Incredible Hulk.
This my friends is Chad Hedrick, a talented American speed skater, as he holds the world record in the 10,000 meter event. He is the only American Skater qualified for five events at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Today, however, he finished second in the 10,000 meters to Bob de Jong of the Netherlands, the new Olympic champion.
Chris said, "Let's just do it," so we confidently entered the Olympic Sponsor tent. "Who are you with?" a lady asked. "Omega" came quickly to mind (as I collect watches), so that was my answer and right in we went. Hurriedly we grabbed all kinds of pins and posters, and if I seem a bit out of focus here, well, we were moving rather fast.
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