Every Olympic year, there is one final party for the athletes the night before the Closing Ceremony.

Sports Illustrated teamed up with Budweiser to host this year’s festa in Torino.

The star-studded room allowed the athletes to finally enjoy themselves out of the spotlight and in an invite-only surrounding. Passes were given out to select members of the press while all Olympic athletes were able to invite a few guests each. Well, almost all athletes. Sometimes, it can be detrimental having an event of the last day of the Olympics.

By the way, Derek Parra is the man. I have never met a nicer person in my life.

New SI Swimsuit issues lined the walls and tables while loud (and well-mixed) music, varying from rock to techno, filled the glass pyramidal Club Bud. Beers (and surprisingly mixed drinks) flowed freely all night. Attractive dancers were positioned throughout the club, intermittently stopped by presentations of athleticism, including two contortionists and a tightrope-like display.

In the side lounge, a Jacuzzi filled with models overlooked the Po River. Are you kidding me? Free alcohol and women in bikinis?

There were many photo opportunities, especially as the party was starting. I took advantage at first, but it got to the point where I felt guilty taking pictures with some of the athletes.

Some of the athletes, including Apolo Anton Ohno handled the attention very well. Ohno arrived to the party shortly after winning the 500m event, with a gold medal around his neck. It was the perfect pregame for an Olympic Party.

I was very lucky to get a ticket and bump shoulders with many famous athletes and sportswriters, but it was also very enlightening. I am usually star struck, but after talking with some of the athletes, I realized that although they have characteristics that distinguish themselves, athletes are still just everyday people.

Both Ice Hockey Gold Medal games will be without American teams and the SI cover jinx continued with authority as the American Ski team pulled up really lame. Chad Hedrick will be leaving with each colored medal after expecting five gold medals and Michelle Kwan did not even have a chance to compete for her elusive gold medal.

Maybe some athletes have not performed to their potential, but maybe there has been an extreme influx of hyping athletes.

For the most part, Italians (and a majority of the world) feel that Americans always think they are the best. This is true. No matter the event, many Americans feel victory is the only way to measure fame and character. A competitive driving force is instilled into our minds, dispersing into all aspects of our lives.

But increasing expectations are changing the face of sport.

Ask the Canadian hockey team (or the Canadian Broadcast Channel) how expectations are changing their businesses.

In a betting mans world, there will always be a favorite and there will most certainly be an underdog. There will always be the underlying stories but there will also be the stories that are blown out of proportion to draw attention and ratings.

Sporting Networks, especially ESPN, have changed the face of modern sports, allowing for premium exposure and the quest for the highlight reel. I enjoy getting my sports news as quickly as possible (by the way, does anyone have the Mobile ESPN?) but I want the facts.

Hogging the spotlight has hurt many athletes, whether in their athletic careers or everyday lives. Lindsey Jacobellis should regret when she grabbed her snowboard in the final of the Women’s Snowboard Cross, but she will still get money from sponsors. She will learn from her mistake, but how often do we as a sports audience think about how we are receiving our sports news and why we are seeing certain athletes covered on a regular basis?

Statistics cannot lie. Greatness can be seen everywhere, but we have to reconsider what we appreciate. Winning a gold medal isn’t the only way an athlete can be successful in his/her sport.

Through these Olympics, I am beginning to appreciate sports more so for great competition than for memorable and sometimes life-shattering moments. Although many of these sports continue year-round, the most important event occurs once every four years. Your talent also get measured in four-year periods, trying to live the perfect moment at the perfect time on the perfect day.

Gearing one’s life toward a certain goal can be very frustrating. Many athletes sacrifice their social lives and daily desires for a specific means. Few attain these dreams. There is nothing wrong striving for the best, but it should always be with proper intent.

Although Michelle Kwan fell short of Americas dream for her to win the gold medal in Torino, she was very gracious about withdrawing. She was classy. Although it may sting in the morning when she wakes up without a gold medal in her trophy collection, she talked about the journey that sports led her through and how they shaped her life. She did not focus on the gaping hole in her heart that the media continues to rip open whenever her name is mentioned.

It is difficult to look at such events and be grateful for all the athletes that compete, but as long as we measure athletes by the rings on their fingers and medals on their necks, our views will continue to be clouded by the true lessons learned from sport.

Accepting defeat is one of them.

Before the 2006 Winter Olympics, Italy had never won a medal in speed skating (also the number (0) of current NHL players on the Mens Hockey team).

But in Torino, anything can happen.

In his first event, Enrico Fabris silenced critics by taking bronze in the 5,000m event. The crowd went crazy at the arena and also at Medals Plaza.

Winning a medal was not enough for Fabris, who anchored a strong Italian pursuit team that beat the USA en route to a gold medal. (Shani Davis chose not to compete in the team pursuit causing problems between with Chad Hedrick).

But none of this compared to the 1500m performance Fabris delivered on Tuesday.

I always root for the USA, but this difficult not to jump on this bandwagon. When Shani Davis crossed the line in the last heat of the 1500m in second place, I screamed in enjoyment. Many people were pulling for the Americans, but my heart was (temporarily) with the Italians. How can you not root for an athlete competing on his home soil, especially given the circumstances?

All of the local restaurants and bars were showing continuous replay reels on Rai TV (Italian Network). It was the topic on everyones tongue that night and fans with Italian flags could be seen throughout the streets near the Palavela.

I went to an Italian restaurant that night surrounded by televisions. I tried talking to the male host, who did not know any English. Instead of asking for a table, I told the man I liked Enrico Fabris (mi piace Enrico Fabris). He yelled with joy and brought us to a directly to a table. I immediately felt accepted.

Enrico even made the front cover of most of the Italian newspapers, where anything but soccer is usually sacrilegous.

The Italians' reactions were similar to the way most Americans feel about ice skating, although there are no Italians in the top ten going into tonight. Carolina Kostner has the best shot for Italy, sitting in11th place.

Tonight's final for the Ladies Free Skate is going to be a great (American) showdown. Sasha Cohen only leads second seed (and favoriter) Irina Slutskaya by .03 points, but Kimmie Meissner is fifth overall going into tonight while Emily Hughes is seventh. Which American skater is going to be the next Sarah Hughes or Michelle Kwan?

Tickets are nearly impossible to find, selling for at least triple digit Euros.

Sometimes, going to a nearby pub can be (almost) as fun as going to the event. Pubs can provide more social and vivacious atmospheres, as long as they have nice TVs (with English channels).

Usually, the top three finishers at the 2006 U.S. Championships qualify for the Olympics. Winner Sasha Cohen, runner-up Kimmie Meissner and third place finisher Emily Hughes were readyto make the trip to Torino but then Michelle Kwan had to make things difficult. She withdrew from the U.S. Championships because of a right groin injury and then successfully petitioned for an Olympic roster spot following two performances in front of a committee on January 27th.

Two weeks later, Michelle Kwan had made her way to Torino and was all smiles at the Opening Ceremonies on February 10th. The next day, Kwan pulled out of the Olympics because of her groin. Many fans believed Kwan never really deserved an Olympic roster spot in the first place. All of her hard work to get past the Olympic red tape had been wasted.

That was (almost) exactly what Emily Hughes wanted to hear. Her father received a phone call during a sushi dinner that confirmed her Olympic acceptance as a replacement. The 17-year-old Great-Neck, NY native who got bumped from the Olympic roster was finally back in the mix to compete for her country and follow in her the footsteps of her sister.

Sarah Hughes won gold in the free skate in Salt Lake City after a spectacular performance. Her perfect performance was etched into history as one of the best performances, overshadowing highly favored Michelle Kwan.

Tonight, the American performers are staggered. Hughes with skate 15th among the 29 women competing in the short program. Kimmie Meissner will skate second overall and Sasha Cohen will be the last figure skater to perform.

Overall, Russian Irina Slutskaya is favored for tonight’s event. Showing great sportsmanship, Sarah Hughes delivered Slutskaya’s skating costume from New York, since the two often shop at the same Tania Bass designer store.

Medals will be handed out after Thursday night’s Free Skate competition. The story lines are piling up for what should be an amazing few nights of figure skating.

A friend from my hometown of Cresskill, New Jersey ventured to the Olympics this weekend. She was able to find us hockey tickets for the Men’s USA game against Slovakia. Hockey is my favorite sport in the Winter Olympics and I was eager to watch an American event in person, rather than on the television feeds.

It was slightly ironic that she got tickets for us while I am interning at the Winter Games. I guess when you work between 12 and 14-hour days, it can be difficult to find ticket information, let alone see daylight. Free tickets come around every so often, but it depends on seniority mixed with a little luck.

After a scoreless yet very exciting first period, I spent the first intermission waiting on an absurdly long line at the refreshment stand. I talked with many people in American gear and met a study abroad student from the Providence area. I also traded a few pins, which is by far the most addicting Olympic habit.

Before arriving in Torino, I vowed not to get caught up in the absurd pin collection. I grabbed a few free ones here and there and now my collection numbers 14. They range from Access Hollywood to Rai to Visa. I guess it could be worse. I could be traveling to each Olympic city and prefer to trade pins all day rather than witness the games.

Marian Hossa started the scoring scuffle for the Slovakian team during a power play at the 14:20 mark of the second period. I must admit, it was a nice goal. Hundreds of fans rushed to their feet, snare drums in one hand and flags in the other. Who knew the Slovakian fans were that intense about their hockey? I mean, they are one of two remaining undefeated teams at the Olympics.

I was sitting in a predominantly American section of the stadium. There were many American flags visible, but not compared to the section of decked-out Slovakian fans. They must have bought at least four complete rows.

The US answered back just over four minutes later with a power play goal of their own when Brian Rolston scored with assists coming from Brian Rafalski and Scott Gomez. My friend and I screamed and jumped up together, along with hald of the stadium. I actually felt like part of the scornig process.

Everyone in the stadium was back on the edge of their seats. The Slovakians got the last laugh when Peter Bondra scored just under two minutes into the final period. For the next 18 minutes, the US team put together some great scoring chances in front of the net, but they could not convert, as Slovakia won their second game in a row. It was almost as disappointing as the American Ski Team.

However, we did not leave the arena upset. I felt very close with to the team, as an American rooting for his team in a foreign country, but it was great being a part of the event. I enjoy watching a well-played game and it was tough not to smile when you watch a game played so intensely, especially when you sit with someone who enjoys the game as much as my friend.

This hockey game was very different from my first hockey experience of the Olympic games (Germany vs. Czech Republic). I went with a friend who knew very little about hockey. It was a great explaining the game and the international rules, but they were not able to identify great passes and saves. I felt more like a teacher than a sports fan.

Despite the American loss, sitting with a real hockey fan was amazing, especially since she is a New Jersey Devils fan. Sorry Bruins fans. We were screaming with emotion and experiencing the slap shots with the players, in addition to the random American fans sitting near us, who we quickly made acquaintances with.

Next up for the USA (1-1-2) team is Russia (3-0-1) on Tuesday night. Also tomorrow night, Slovakia (4-0-0) will skate against Sweden (3-0-1).

The new racing sport, comparable to Nascar on ice, combines speed with aggression and strategy throughout a windy, jump-filled course. Riders have two solo runs to qualify for the rounds of four riders apiece. Such rounds are won and lost out of the gate, where the first few (small) jumps determine your initial standing entering the first curve.

American favorite Seth Wescott earned the first snowboard cross gold medal in history, after smoothly passing Radoslav Zidek on the inside of one of the final turns. Zidek almost caught Wescott on the final hill, but the photo finish was golden for the American.

Wescott's accomplishment marked the third gold medal for the American team in three snowboarding events (Shaun White in the men's half pipe and Hannah Teter in the women's half pipe).

The sweep was intact until the Americans got cocky. Lindsey Jacobellis had the gold medal waiting for her at the bottom of the hill, with no other competitors in sight, going into the final jump. All she had to do was land on her feet.

I think she wanted the gold medal too much; maybe it just was not her day; or maybe she really wanted the attention.

Jacobellis grabbed her board in the air on the final jump and lost her balance. She fell to the snow and quickly got back on her feet, but it was too late. Tanja Frieden from Switzerland made up the distance, earning the first non-American snowboard medal of the Olympics.

Approaching her final jump, I thought Jacobellis was going to win the easiest gold medal in Olympic history. She dominated (almost) the entire race and showed her talent in each of the rounds leading up to the finals. Good thing I did not say that out loud and jinx her or anything.

Fans may come to events for the show, but athletes must show up to perform to their highest potential. I'm sure she was nervous, especially competing in the first women’s snowboard cross in history, but showing off ended up being her Achilles heel.

My heart stopped when Jacobellis fell, and I will always remember her as the athlete who made the best debut in her event without taking home the gold.

We arrived at the Palasport Olimpico, one of the two Olympic hockey arenas, as the first period was coming to a close. There was a lot of traffic and parking near the stadium was difficult to find. Germany was already winning 1-0, on a late first period goal by Tino Boos.

We settled into our seats, which were two rows behind the player’s entrance to the ice rink, between the German and Czech benches. The arena was almost fully occupied and the lighting was great.

As the second period started, I was still taking in my surroundings, when Tomas Kaberle scored 1:20 into the period, to tie the game at one goal apiece. Half of the face-painted, flag-bearing crowd erupted into cheer.

Kaberle added another goal just over two minutes later, giving the Czech Republic their first lead of the game. Finally, the Czech team was living up to its pre-Olympic hype, favored to to be in the the gold medal game.

Then, I thought I was transferred to an NBA or NFL game. Listen up NHL, you want to boost attendance? Take a page from the Italians and add some cheerleaders to your game plan. When I saw the dancers in orange and yellow, I laughed at first. They were dancing and cheering in the aisles, but many fans seemed to enjoy them.

The Czech team added two more goals in the third period to win the game 4-1. After Jaromir Jagr added a goal, David Vyborny scored an empty netter with 30 seconds left in the game.

Legendary goalie Dominik Hasek, 41, started the game for the Czech Republic, but left the game just under 10 minutes into the first period with pain between his legs. Hasek recorded four saves on four shots and was relieved by Tomas Vokoun, who stopped 20 of 21 shots.

The preliminary round continues today when the Czech Republic will hit the ice against Switzerland at 1:00pm while Germany will face off against Canada tonight at 8:00pm.

Hopefully the US team can rebound from their dissapointing 3-3 tie with Latvia when the face off against Kazakhstan tonight at 9:00pm.

P.S. Who knew the Italians could care less about Valentines Day?

Last night I was having dinner with some friends. I finished my meal and was going to look around the mall, but decided to stay until they were finished.

It was during those extra few minutes of dinner that I stumbled upon a ticket for the Kelly Clarkson concert at Medals Plaza. The first American Idol is a great singer with a lot of talent, but I don’t consider myself a huge fan.

The start time on the ticket read 8pm. At first, I planned to get there around 10pm, figuring there would be an opening band. However, there was no opening band listed on the ticket. It was that uncertainty that drove me to arrive before 8pm. Now, I just had to find out how to get there.

The bus schedule was posted at the bus stop, but only by street name. I ruled out the option of a cab, since I have had some trouble with the drivers in Torino. It can be difficult to fully explain a destination to a driver. Also, they are absurdly expensive. The meter does not start from zero when you enter. If you call a cab to pick you up, the driver starts the meter after receiving your call. If you catch a cab, the meter is usually running from the last client who was dropped off. It is a terrible scheme that frustrates a lot of tourists.

A local Italian man informed me of Bus 20, the next bus for the Medals Plaza. It was scheduled to arrive in 30 minutes, but it would only say a downtown street name. He recommended I ask each bus driver that passed about the Medals Plaza. It seemed tedious, but I was excited for the challenge.

So much for waiting. Less than a minute after that man turned the corner, a bus showed up that read Medals Plaza across its screen. It was perfect.

I got off the bus with many international cameramen and local fans. Historical statues complemented the modern designs at the entrance.

This juxtaposition helped to blend the 2006 Winter Olympics with Italian History.

I walked up a heavily populated and windy hill with small parks on either side. At the top was the entrance to the Medals Plaza in the middle of the beautiful Piazza Castello. The empty whole in the Olympic Medals (they look like CDs) represents the 163 piazzas in Torino.

My standing room only ticket got me very close to the stage. An Italian woman was speaking very quickly when I entered and I did not understand much. The slower someone speaks, the easier it is to understand them.

A little movie about Italy was shown on the big screen, documenting the well-rounded history of Italy.

Then I heard a voice speaking in French, then in English (the official Olympic Languages) then in Italian (the host language). They were announcing the Medal Winners.

Womens Moguls. (Gold: Jennifer Heil, Silver: Kari Traa, Bronze: Sandra Laoura)

I got to see the first US gold medallist in Chad Hedrick from the Mens 5000m

The crowd especially erupted when Italian Enrico Fabris was called for the Bronze Medal. (Silver: Sven Kramer)

I also got to see two American medallists in the Mens Half Pipe, including the Flying Tomato, Shaun White.

The best part of all was singing the US National Anthem, twice. Not too many people were singing (or knew the words), but it was uplifting.

What celebration isnt complete without some fireworks?

I was astonished. As if that was not enough, Kelly Clarkson came on and belted out over a dozen songs. I rarely listen to her, but her performance was awesome and I could recognize all of the songs.

She sang Beautiful Disaster in a cappella and covered Crimson and Clover among all of the hits she sang.

The Italians definitely know how to throw a celebration, especially when the combine American athletes with American music.

Since I could not buy tickets, which were selling for up to 500 euros, I decided to watch the ceremony as a spectator from the streets. I wanted to experience the ceremony from a more personal perspective than an ordinary television set.

When I approached, I became submerged in an endless sea of people surrounding the stadium, all equipped with cameras. Hundreds were standing in the streets, in the restaurants and also on benches. I felt very safe though, as security was heavy and police could be seen everywhere, even on horseback. It closely resembled the communal organized chaos of the New Year celebration in Times Square.

I got as close as I could to the stadium, without entering the arena. I saw a tall white monument that resembled the Olympic Cauldron, but I was not sure of its nature. I was under the impression that the flame had to be lit from inside the stadium and I did not see a link to the monument.

My gut instinct told me I was in the right place but I still was not sure if I was looking at the Olympic Cauldron. A few nights ago, I saw a large flame by the stadium around 3am. I thought it was coming from the white, spiraled sculpture. I guess it was an essential practice run, but at the time, it seemed strange.

After taking a few pictures, I wandered to the other side of the stadium to find the cauldron. While weaving in and out of the suffocating but friendly crowd, I got comfortable behind a small fence and listened to the music coming from the stadium. It was crystal clear, ever from a block away.

While taking in my surroundings, I noticed a line of ten story apartments behind me, full of viewers cheering from their balconies. As my eyes scanned the building, I noticed the most perfectly positioned big screen TV, visible from a sixth floor window. I saw some of the games, but continued to wonder about the start time of the flame. I had to see the lighting of the cauldron, but there was not a television outside to indicate when it would occur.

I walked back to my original location and started talking to some locals. Despite the chilly environment, you could feel the excitement. I was talking to this one family about Torino.

Flash!

Fireworks exploded up the sides of the cauldron, racing to the top as the flame launched upward from the spiraled cauldron. Everyone grabbed for their cameras and tried to catch the sudden lighting process. From outside, we could not see Stefania Belmondo, the Italian two-time cross-country skiing gold medal winner, who was the last torch runner. But we saw the lighting of the cauldron for the closest distance.

When I saw that flame rush to the sky, I was completely silent, despite the cheering that rocked the area. I slowly took in the moment, looking at the bright flame then back at the crowd. Instantly, I felt part of Olympic history.

After taking a dozen pictures, I began walking back to my hotel. My Olympic moment was complete. The streets began to empty.

Boom!

Fireworks lit up the sky over Stadio Olimpico, as everyone turned around at once. Blues, yellows and reds jumped from the ledge of the pure black sky. They crossed, dazzled and twirled for a few minutes.

Seconds later, fireworks shot up from the park next to the stadium. It was completely unexpected and more amazing because of it; a tasty Italian dessert that concluded a well-rounded meal.

As I walked back to my hotel, for the second time, I was amazed that I saw the lighting of the Olympic torch. I was a part of history. I did not have to spend an absurd amount of money on a ticket, but I got to experience the lighting of the cauldron firsthand.

We gazed over the menu that was posted on the door. The food and prices both looked reasonable, so we walked in.

We slowly entered a room packed with tables and chairs. The only things missing were all of the customers and waiters. We walked toward the back of the room, into the main eating area, hoping to find a sign of life.

Sitting down in the back corner were the chef and host, who laughed aloud upon seeing us. They continued to talk quietly amongst themselves, throwing in the occasional ‘americano’ and ‘olimpici’.

Although they were talking about us, they didn’t seem offensive. With two years of Italian behind me, I interrupted the two. The host explained that the restaurant was closed until 8 p.m., as he looked at his watch; it was around 6:30 p.m. As my friend and I made our way to the door, he stopped us and kindly offered to open his restaurant early, for us.

For the most part, Italians eat dinner much later than Americans. Meals may consist of appetizers (antipasti), pasta or rice (primo piatto), a meat dish (secondo piatto), dessert (dolce) and coffee (café). A typical dinner can range from two to three hours if you are lucky. We chose the abridged version.

The chef put on his apron and walked back into the kitchen. Before we ordered, we were greeted by toasted bread, bright olive oil and freshly grated cheese. My friend and I dipped our bread into the oil, which was quietly laced with parmesan cheese. The Italians prefer this arrangement, rather than the typical butter used by Americans.

Our primo piatto was penne pasta with a thick meat sauce, sometimes referred to as Bolognese sauce. We were relaxed and took the time to enjoy our meal. There was no rush.

For our second piatto, my friend and I retreated back to our American roots and had thin crust pizza with ham (prosciutto). Although I have eaten pizza all of my life, this one stood out as one of my favorites. The taste and smell were amazing. The meals were quick, tasty and cheap. Those are three great qualities, especially for travelers, which you rarely find together. I guess it pays, sometimes, to be the only customers in a restaurant.

Although traveling usually includes a lot of planning, taking chances in a new place is essential to getting the true local experience. In one night, my friend and I learned of the late Italian dinners and their many components. Although I felt like a foolish tourist at first, I took one step closer to understanding the Italian culture.

The Super Bowl has everything, from entertainment to advertising to sex appeal (well, at least before Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction). I usually watch the game with a large group of friends, who consider themselves avid sports fans. The game isn’t complete unless there are at least a few dozen wings, a variety of snacks and enough salsa to fill a small pool.

However, I watched Super Bowl XL at the Shamrock Inn, a small pub/restaurant in downtown Torino and those essentials were tough to come by. The Shamrock had been advertising the game all week with flyers, attracting many newly arrived Americans, since they were able to get a feed of the game in English.

That was the only constant among all of my Super Bowl experiences.

Everyone knows that the Italians love their football, but it was amazing to me how little they actually cared about our American football. On two floors, holding over 100 people, the pub was captivated by general celebrations for exciting plays, but the roar of each conversation surpassed the game analysis of the commentators. I couldn’t even tell you who the commentators were.

The Italians heavily outnumbered the Americans, who were easily visible in NFL gear. Despite their presence, it seemed the Italians were more interested in each other and the overall enjoyment of their surroundings, rather than the competition between two great teams.

I was very interested in the game, although I do not consider myself a true fan of the Steelers or Seahawks. I did think it was ridiculous that a current player, New England’s heroic Tom Brady, assisted with the pre-game coin toss. The NFL may want the Patriots in the Super Bowl, but honestly, he did not deserve to play a role in a Super Bowl which his team didn’t make. No current player deserved that.

Besides the great competition between the two best teams in the league, I thoroughly look forward to the commercials every year. I would love to tell you which was my favorite this year, but the game I saw was broadcast through an Italian station which replaced the time slots with Italian commercials. It was a huge disappointment, especially to most of the women at the Shamrock, a few of whom told me the commercials were the only reason they decided to watch the game.

Also, the six-hour difference between Providence and Torino really tore apart the audience as most people left after the censored halftime performance by the Rolling Stones. I was a trooper and watched the entire game, despite an early workday that followed.

I was truly amazed that the Italians knew all of the words to the songs by the Rolling Stones. An Italian friend who didn’t speak much English, sang aloud and knew every word perfectly. Music seems like the perfect learning tool. I wish I had listened to some Italian music before venturing to Torino.

My viewing of Super Bowl XL seemed unauthentic, but will be remembered as an Italian version of an American pastime. I watched the game in a place I had never been before, with people I had never met before, but they all provided a new and exciting atmosphere that happened to work out well.

I live in Cresskill, New Jersey but I consider Providence my home away from home. Currently, I am studying Anthro/Linguistics at Brown University and hope to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. I am also an abstract painter and drummer.

I will write about the Italian culture through the eyes of a young tourist/sports fan. Please feel free to leave comments or e-mail questions about the area or blog suggestions.