The United States Olympic team enters the arena at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. (Alan Hagman / LAT)
Former Italian skier Alberto Tomba carries the Olympic torch at the 2006 Winter Olympics. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
A metropolitan Shaman strikes a gilded anvil, symbol of the industry and craftsmanship that dominates Turin to begin the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Olympics. (Alan Hagman / LAT)
Lights burst through the Olympic rings as they are dropped from the top of the Olympic Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
Dancers run on stage during opening ceremonies In Turin. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
The Italian team waves the country’s flag as they enter Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremonies. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
Acrobats form an eagle during the opening ceremonies. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
Stefania Belmondo, three-time gold medalist for cross-country, lights the flame with the Olympic torch at Olympic Stadium of Turin during opening ceremonies. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
U.S. figure skating pairs champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin, Jr. of Santa Monica peform a “press lift” as they enter Olympic Stadium for opening ceremonies. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
Team USA proceeds to their seats after entering Olympic Stadium for opening ceremonies in Turin. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
U.S. Speed Skater Chris Witty leads the United States Olympic team around the arena at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
U.S. Speed Skater Derek Parra, originally from San Bernadino, California, waves to the crowd as the United States Olympic team walks the stage at the opening ceremonies. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
Dancers with huge balloons on their heads run across the stage, symbolizing winter snowflakes at the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. (Alan Hagman / LAT)
Costumed men take pictures before the start of the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Winter Olympics. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
U.S. figure skater Michelle Kwan waves to the crowd as she enters Olympic Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
Zephyr and Aura perform an aerial dance for the court during opening ceremonies In Turin. Venus is in the large sea shell. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
Acrobats perform durng opening ceremonies In Turin, Italy for the 2006 Winter Olympics. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
A flying celestial sphere supporting an aerial dancer flies over Olympic Stadium of Turin during the opening ceremonies. (Wally Skalij / LAT)
Fireworks light the Olympic Stadium as Opening Ceremonies come to a close during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
