Torino and the mountains: a bond renewed with the olympic winter games.

The 20th Olympic Winter Games of 2006 represent a formidable recognition for Torino, its region, the city's sporting heritage and its close relationship with the mountains that surround it. With the public and private investments that they will bring and the international attention that will focus on the city, the Games are also an unrivalled opportunity to transform and improve Torino. From when the city triumphed over its rivals, the model adopted by Torino has been to create facilities that will last over time, enriching the entire area and not lasting only for the period needed for the Olympic Games. Two different bodies, Toroc (the organising committee) and Agenzia Torino 2006, will work together to construct the facilities and venues for 2006. The Committee, which handles the organisation of all events and is the "guarantor" of the success of the Games, is, in agreement with the local authorities represented on it, responsible for preparing the plan of works, indicating locations, priorities and characteristics of what must be built. The Agency is instead responsible for construction work.
The 2006 Games are therefore destined to make a profound mark on the face of the city, leaving to Torino, its inhabitants, its businesses and visitors new spaces and new facilities even after the Olympics. A few examples: the Stadio Comunale of Torino, where until a few years ago Serie A football matches were played, will be transformed into a sports centre for hockey matches, while Palazzo a Vela (one of the striking buildings constructed in Torino for the centenary celebrations of the Reunification of Italy in 1961) will become a venue for skating competitions, and the former Mercati Generali will be restructured and rebuilt to host the Olympic Village. All the Alpine valleys that surround the city will host new sports and accommodation facilities and will be furnished with new roads and equipment, including artificial snow plants. The Olympic Winter Games of 2006 will change the face of Torino. And for its part, Torino counts on being able to offer the rest of the world a truly unforgettable event for sport and much more .

THE HEART OF OLYMPICS
This map illustrates the places involved in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and where the sports events are located.

Torino will host the inauguration ceremony, the Medal Plaza, the Olympic Village and the press, radio and television services, as well as some individual and team ice sports: curling, hockey, figure skating, short-track and speed skating.