World News

Spectacular opening to Winter Olympics

Turin, Italy - It was a mutual love affair between the Italian hosts - known for their flair for the dramatic - and their visitors from around the world at the opening ceremony of the Turin Olympics on Feb. 10.

It started the moment the Olympic torch arrived, carried by skiing hero Alberto "La Bomba" Tomba, who handed it off to a succession of Italian medal winners.

Stefania Belmondo, a two-time gold medal winner in cross-country skiing, touched the flame to a wire that ignited fireworks and lit the Olympic cauldron in what was a spectacular eruption.

The cheering crowd screamed its delight - just one of the many times it did so throughout the three-hour show, though perhaps never more than when a red Ferrari spun in furious doughnuts.

"Rhythm, Passion and Speed," promised the show's producers, and those watching - an estimated 35,000 at the Olympic Stadium and 2 billion tuning in - got all of that.

But it wasn't truly over until the big man sang.

Luciano Pavarotti performed "Nessun Dorma," from Puccini's "Turandot," the tenor's signature piece. (AP)

Shukan ST: Feb. 24, 2006

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