Torino 2006 Winter Olympics

During the preparations for the Torino olympics the IOC raised some concerns about the Italian organization of matters but this was countered by Torino's display of a well organized games. The Torino olympics did not have the local charisma of the Lillehammer games in 1994 or the level from Salt Lake City 2002 but it was easily comparable to the success of the olympic games in Nagano 1998 and Albertville 1992. First of all the practical side of things functioned efficiently. For example it could be argued that the Torino olympics had the best sporting facilities available at any winter olympic games. The doping control was effective and pervasive but still only one athlete - a Russian biathlete - was caught in the use of illegal substances, and finally, the security measures were effective. In addition the competitive level of the sporting events in the 2006 olympics was high.

Among the many top level performances Canadian Cindy Klassen was outstanding winning medals in 5 out of the women's 6 events in speed skating. Three athletes left the Torino olympics with three gold medals each in their baggage: South Korean Ahn Hyun-soo in the men's short track, German Michael Greis in the men's biathlon and South Korean Jin Sun-yu in the women's short track.

The number of participants was record high in the 2006 olympics. With app. 2500 athletes from 85 nations the number from the previous olympic games in 2002 was superseded with app. 200 athletes and 5 nations.

A total of 84 sets of medals were handed out in Torino olympics. As in the two previous winter olympics Germany was best nation with 29 medals including 11 of gold. USA and Austria both won 9 gold, Russia 8 and Sweden and Canada each won 7. Contrary to expectations Norway only won two gold medals placing them in 13th position in the total medal standings. Four years earlier Norway was second best nation winning 10 gold medals.