The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, were held in Turin, Italy from 10 to 26 February 2006. This was the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games. The first time was the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Italy also had the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
The President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, opened the ceremony. Stefania Belmondo was the torch-bearer.
1,548 men and 960 women were in the Olympics. There were 84 events. The official motto of the XX Olympic Winter Games was "Passion lives here".
Medals won by each nation
Venues
Olympic areas
Olympic events were mainly held in Turin. Other events such as skiing and snowboarding had to be held in mountain areas.
Turin
Many venues were located in the Olympic District in central Turin, including: Oval Lingotto – Speed skating Torino Esposizioni – Ice hockey Palasport Olimpico – Ice hockey (final) Stadio Olimpico – Opening and closing ceremonies Palavela – Figure skating, short-track speed skating Olympic Village
Other locations
Bardonecchia – Snowboarding
Cesana Pariol – Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton
Cesana San Sicario – Biathlon
Pinerolo – Curling
Pragelato – Nordic combined (ski jumping), Ski jumping
Pragelato Plan – Cross-country skiing, Nordic combined (cross-country skiing) San Sicario Fraiteve – Alpine skiing (women's combined (downhill), downhill, and super-g) Sauze d'Oulx – Freestyle skiing Sestriere Borgata – Alpine skiing (men's combined (downhill), downhill, super-g) Sestriere Colle – Alpine skiing (combined (slalom), giant slalom, slalom)