Torino Olympics 2006: Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was spectacular. Here are my favorite images (in no particular order). Enjoy. ;)







Figure skaters train four days ahead of the opening ceremony for the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games, February 6, 2006.



A performer glides past the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Yuri Chechi, an Olympic gymnast from Italy, starts the ceremony by pounding an anvil during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



Fireworks form the Olympic Rings during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, February 10, 2006.



U.S. first lady Laura Bush, center, and daughter Barbara Bush, right, sit with Cherie Blair, left, wife of Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, as they watch the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, February 10, 2006.



Fireworks light up the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Turin. The Olympic flame burned brightly over Turin as fireworks sparked the start of the 20th



A Ferrari Formula One race car spins out during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Turin, Italy. The Olympic flame burned brightly over Turin as fireworks sparked the start of the 20th Winter Games



Performers climb a wall during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



Performers form a dove after climbing a wall during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



The Olympic flame burns over top of the Olympic stadium during the first day of competition at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 11, 2006.



The flame of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games burns on the first day of competition in Turin, Italy, February 11, 2006. The games run until February 26.



United States, bottom center, Italian, top center, and Latvian, bottom, athletes take their place among other countries during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



A general view of the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, February 10, 2006.



Chris Witty of the U.S. carries a national flag during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Chris Witty of the U.S. leads her team into the stadium during the opening ceremony at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



A United States Olympian gestures at Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Turin, Italy.



A United States Olympian jumps and waves during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



United States figure skaters Kimmie Meissner and Evan Lysacek walk into the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



U.S. skier Bode Miller marches in the opening ceremony at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, February 10, 2006.



United States bobsledderVonetta Flowers waves an American flag during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



Speedskater Chris Witty waves as the United States enters Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Turin, Italy.



United States speed skater Derek Parra, center, walks into the Olympic stadium with other American athletes during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



United States alpine skier Bode Miller walks into the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



United States ice dancers Tanith Belbin and her partner Ben Agosto wave American flags during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



Figure skater Michele Kwan, of the United States, waves as she walks into the stadium for the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



First lady Laura Bush, center, stands and claps for the U.S. Olympic team as Cherie Blair, left, wife of Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, looks on during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



The American team waves as they enter Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Turin, Italy.



Prince Albert of Monaco plays with a flashlight that was given to spectators during opening ceremonies for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006. Woman at right is not identified.



A fireworks display lights up the sky during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10. On the left is an arch that leads to the Olympic athletes Village.



Britain's Rhona Martin leads her team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Italian athletes wave their country's flag as they enter the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



The German team waves as they enter Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games Friday, Feb. 10, 2006 in Turin, Italy.



Kati Wilhelm of Germany leads her team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, February 10, 2006.



Britain's flag bearer Rhona Martin leads her team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Members of Australia's 2006 Winter Olympic team are lead by flag bearer and freestyle skier Alisa Camplin during opening ceremonies for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jaques Rogge addresses the athletes during the opening ceremony at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Italian supermodel Carla Bruni, wearing a Georgio Armani dress, carries the Italian flag during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



Actress Sophia Loren of Italy, writer Isabelle Allende of Chile, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai of Kenya, gold medallist Nawal el Moutawakel of Morocco, gold medallist Manuela Di Centa of Italy, gold medallist Maria



Luciano Pavarotti performs during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Yoko Ono performs during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, February 10, 2006.



Fireworks explode over the Olympic Stadium during opening ceremonies for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday night Feb. 10, 2006.



Italian skier Stefania Belmondo lights the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.



Olympic gold medalist Alberto Tomba carries the torch into the stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10, 2006.



Fireworks erupt over the stadium after the Olympic flame was lit during the opening ceremony for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, Friday, Feb. 10. 2006.



Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy February 10, 2006.