Road to Torino

Today in Torino was the men's 1,500-meter speedskating event, a heavily anticipated matchup between top American speed skaters -- indeed, the top two speed skaters on the planet -- Chad Hedrick and Shani Davis.

Enrico Fabris skates his victory lap in front of an adoring crowd


Today's event had all the makings of a great contest. Both skaters are already gold medalists here in Torino. In addition, Davis is the reigning world champion in the sport while Hedrick was the world champion in 2004. The 1500-meters is the event in which the two are evenly matched.

A natural rivalry has turned to open antagonism between Davis and Hedrick since the Olympics began. The two Americans have exchanged a war of words in the press. The media has been salivating to see which skater would emerge with the gold in today's matchup. The answer: neither one!

As it turns out, gold went to an unheralded Italian, Enrico Fabris, with Davis winning silver and Hedrick bronze. The result is a great testament to the power of the home-ice (field, court -- pick your playing surface) advantage. Four years ago in Salt Lake, American athletes were scooping up medals by the fistful. This time it's Italy's turn to outperform expectations.

All I can say is, what a thrill to be there in the arena to see and hear the crowd erupt when Fabris won the gold medal. And to be honest, maybe it's a little bit of karmic payback to Davis and Hedrick forsome less than stellar behavior.

There is joy in Italy tonight, my friends!

A couple more scenes from the speed skating oval in Torino:

Cheerleaders (a phenomenon that is unknown in Italy!) perform in the cavernous building during intermission. They get booed a lot.
 

Derek Parra, the defending gold medalist from 2002, was good enough only for 19th place today. But he stayed in the warmup lane after his race in order to encourage his remaining teammates. Derek is the figure in the center of the photo, shouting encouragement to Shani Davis (dark skinsuit), who skated to a silver-medal today

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• #2 Comment from bettayett 
  2/21/06 4:50 PM | Permalink

  This is my six year olds first olympic game viewing and it has become such an incredible experience.  To see these men and women do these amazing things on skis, on skates, on snowboards, with jumps and twirls and pucks and that object used in that shuffeling type event inwhich USA won over England.  AND then the Media happened.  A drug raid,  crossboarding athelete blew it, who is  she trying to fool,  skater gets third place in weakest event ,and now rumble in the rink. My son said to me " You said  this was a special show mom, but it's just the news from Santa's house."  Why must everything have a side effect?  
• #1 Comment from kitdutjonllc 
  2/21/06 4:21 PM | Permalink

  They both deserve to lose.  They showed what bad attitudes they have, selfish, self centered, etc.  They should consider themselves lucky that they were chosen to participate as olympians.  Not too many people get this priviledge. Instead, they showed what unfortunately, younger generation has become.  I'm sad to say I'm an American today because they make all of us look bad.  Shame on both of them!  They don't deserve the priviledge they both had.  That's why I hate watching the olympics now.......it's become a total bummer.  Give me the old athletes who appreciated the talents they had and used them wisely.