Across 16 topsy-turvy days in Turin, the U.S. Olympic team teetered somewhere between torment and triumph, each step up to the medal stand tempered by one step back somewhere else.
The final medal total left the U.S. somewhere between total success and perceived failure. The collection of 25 medals–9 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze–was far less than the record 34 of 2002, but nearly double the previous high of 13 from 1994 and 1998.
Sure, the Olympics have added 16 new medal sports since the ’98 Nagano Games, several in U.S.-friendly events. But it was the most medals ever won by the Americans in a foreign Winter Olympics and left the U.S. second only to Germany’s 29 medals.
On Sunday, Sweden beat Finland 3-2 for the men’s hockey gold, and Italy’s Giorgio di Centa won gold in the 50K cross-country race. That win set up a glorious Closing Ceremony with a circuslike celebration full of clowns, acrobats, fireworks, and, at one point, a winged snowboarder hovering high above ground, as if by magic.
Many of the 35,000 spectators donned devil and angel masks in a ceremony doubling as the annual Carnevale festival celebrated across Italy this weekend. Before declaring the Games closed, IOC president Jacques Rogge described the Turin Olympics as “truly magnificent.”
“You have succeeded brilliantly in meeting your challenge,” he told organizers. “Grazie, Torino.”
So as the spotlight shifts to Vancouver, host of the 2010 Olympics, let’s look back at these Winter Games.
5 BIGGEST STORIES
57 channels and nothing on
Despite an all-encompassing mix of viewing options, NBC struggled to get viewers. With an average rating of 12.5, this will likely finish as the lowest-rated Olympics in history reflecting a lack of interest in the events, the six-hour time difference and competition from other networks.
Dueling divas on skates
American speed skaters Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick got their spandex in a knot over issues of respect and patriotism. Their exchange after the 1,500 meters proved among the most entertaining 20 minutes in Olympic news conference history.
America’s no-shows
Despite the heavy medal count (25), the U.S. was a tormented team. Skater Michelle Kwan opted out after her injury, skier Bode Miller flopped on the slopes, and the women’s hockey team failed to keep its date for a gold medal showdown with Canada.
Passion lives here (but it’s on holiday)
Turin covered its streets with banners proclaiming its passion for the Games, but the amorous embrace had the feel of kissing your sister. Our hosts were neither rude nor annoying, but more so disinterested in the Olympics. Venues were less than full at many events, and there was never much buzz.
Good vibrations
Freestyle moguls skier Toby Dawson– abandoned as an infant in North Korea and adopted by a couple in Vail, Colo.–won a bronze medal. Speed skater Joey Cheek won two medals and donated $40,000 in bonus money to a charity to help children in poor countries.
— SUN-SENTINEL, South Florida
5 RETURNERS
Chances are, you’ll see these U.S. Olympians again in four years.
Hedrick and Davis
“You haven’t seen the last of Shani and I,” Hedrick told reporters after he won silver in the 10,000. Will Hedrick the Texan and Davis the Chicagoan simmer down in four years? Stay tuned.
Kimmie Meissner
Only 16, figure skater Meissner showed she can compete with the big names, finishing sixth. She heads back to high school next week.
Shaun White
The Flying Tomato, a freckle-faced snowboarder, was a refreshing addition to the Games, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t be back.
Sarah Parsons
Only 18, just out of high school, the hockey forward was one of the stars of the team. By Vancouver, she could be one of the best players in U.S. women’s hockey history.
Julia Mancuso
She’ll be 25 in four years, and the gold-medalist Alpine skier could improve. Between her and Lindsay Kildow, the future of U.S. women’s skiing is in good hands.
— KNIGHT-RIDDER
5 GOODBYES
These five U.S. Olympians aren’t expected back in four years.
Chris Witty
The five-time Olympian had a disappointing two weeks in speed skating. At 30, Witty says she’s ready to call it quits and “get a job.”
Michelle Kwan
She wasn’t officially an Olympian because she didn’t compete, but she did participate in the Opening Ceremony. This was the 25-year-old figure skater’s last chance to get a gold medal.
Todd Hayes
After putting his football coaching career on hold to tackle bobsled, the 36-year-old retired and hopes to join the Baylor coaching staff soon. He won silver in 2002 and finished seventh this time.
Chris Chelios
At 44, he was one of the better players for the U.S. hockey team, which won just one of its six games. And while the Americans will be expected to do better next time, they’ll have to do it without Chelios.
Joey Cheek
What’s next for the speed skater who won gold in the 500 and silver in the 1,000? After carrying the U.S. flag at the Closing Ceremony, he becomes a 26-year-old college freshman.
— KNIGHT-RIDDER
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MEDAL TRACKER
Final standings for Turin Games
(84 events)
Nation G-S-B: Tot.
Germany 11-12-6: 29
U.S. 9-9-7: 25
Canada 7-10-7: 24
Austria 9-7-7: 23
Russia 8-6-8: 22
Norway 2-8-9: 19
Sweden 7-2-5: 14
Switzerland 5-4-5: 14
South Korea 6-3-2: 11
Italy 5-0-6: 11
China 2-4-5: 11
France 3-2-4: 9
Netherlands 3-2-4: 9
Finland 0-6-3: 9
Czech Republic 1-2-1: 4
Estonia 3-0-0: 3
Croatia 1-2-0: 3
Australia 1-0-1: 2
Poland 0-1-1: 2
Ukraine 0-0-2: 2
Japan 1-0-0: 1
Belarus 0-1-0: 1
Britain 0-1-0: 1
Bulgaria 0-1-0: 1
Slovakia 0-1-0: 1
Latvia 0-0-1: 1
