2006 Turin Olympics Report

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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2006-02-10

2006 Turin Olympics Report
Let the games begin!

By Alan Greth, Contra Costa Times

Photo by Steve Deslich / KRT

Alan Greth on the balcony enjoying the view at his apartment in Sauze d' Oulx.

Editors note: SportsShooter.com member and Contra Costa Times Executive Photo Editor Alan Greth is in Turin, Italy editing his second Olympic Games for KRT (Knight Ridder Tribune). KRT is a wire service with photographers contributing to the KRT report from many papers including the Miami Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and others.

Getting There
I never thought anything as small as an Olympic pin could make a difference. But after I gave one to the Lufthansa Ticket agent at San Francisco International Airport, I learned otherwise. As I was checking in for my flight to Frankfurt Germany en route to Turin, I said "good afternoon" and slid my Olympic pin across the check-in counter. The Normally stoic Lufthansa agent froze momentarily, and then broke into a big smile.

"Oh thank you sir," she said beaming with joy. She then quickly announced she would try to get me a better seat and moved away to another computer. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in the Exit isle row of the giant Boeing 747 en route to Frankfurt. The nearest seat in front of me was about five feet away. Nice start. If you get to an Olympic games as a shooter or an editor, carry some pins! I guard them carefully.

The flight got better after I learned I had some colleagues aboard. My longtime friend, AP Staffer and SportsShooter.com member Eric Risberg was on the flight along with his boss. The whole experience would have been great had my luggage arrived in Turin along with me.

Let's talk about the bus
The word on the cobblestone streets of Sauz d' Oulx where I am staying is that these Olympic games are more spread out than any other winter games. That brings us to the place where I'll be spending much of my time. On the bus. The Olympic committee sets up a huge complex system of busses and cars to the Athletes and media members to and from all the venues and media work areas. Here in the mountains, Turin, where the ice hockey and skating venues are is two hours by bus. We are in the Alps. The Alps are big. Other venues like the ski jumping venue in Pragelato is another two hours by bus.

Photo by Alan Greth / KRT

Lunch at the ski area in Sauze d' Oulx where Greth is staying in Italy.

Did I mention the bus?
Well, the bus is 45 feet long. Some of these roads between venues were built 300 years ago. The Alps are steep. The turns are tight. Yesterday, I went to the ski jumping venue in Pragelato for an 11 AM practice session before our staff meeting in Turin. Two hours to Pragelato, two more hours to Turin. Then there was the ride home. You get the idea. Long story short, I left my apartment at 7:45 AM and returned to it at midnight. Then I was able to go have dinner.

WIFI and the Internet
Since I work for Knight Ridder, my boss here in Turin, KRT Photo Editor Steve Deslich arranged for DSL modems in several mountain venues. Steve has been to several Olympic games in the past and knows the drill. My Apartment on the other hand, was built before Kennedy was born. It took us two days to find the phone line. It was hidden under a piece of furniture. It does not work. No Internet here.

Who is walking my kids to School?
My wife Kathy and my kids are the real heroes of these Olympic games. Sure I'm riding around the Italian Alps on a bus. She is walking my son to school, taking my daughter to preschool, and giving my five-month old-son antibiotics for an ear infection. For me, this helps keep everything in perspective. As I see the thousands of journalists that have converged here, I realize that their family members are making a huge contribution to these games also.

Let the Games begin
As I write this, opening ceremonies are taking place. Only One KRT shooter got a ticket so I have the night off. Thousands of people are sitting in freezing temperatures and watching the athletes parade into the stadium. These are amazingly talented people from around the world. I salute them and their dedication to sport. I also salute the thousands of journalist who are running their own marathon covering these XX Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Related Links:

Alan Greth's member page

2006 Turin Olympics Report, Part 2

KRT Photos Live