Turin, Italy, Host City for the XX Olympic Winter Games in 2006

Turin, Italy was elected as the ‘Host City’ for the XX Olympic Winter Games in 2006 on 19 June 1999 in Seoul, Korea. The 109th IOC Session chose from six Candidate Cities that put forward bids for the 2006 Winter Games. They were Klagenfurt (AUT), Helsinki (FIN), Turin (ITA), Zakopane (POL), Sion (SUI) and Poprad-Tatry (SVK).

The Olympic Winter Games 2006 will be held in Turin from 10 to 26 February official website torino2006.org. The Winter Games comprise seven different sports and 15 different disciplines, these will be played out in eight different competition venues. Around 2,500 athletes, 650 judges and umpires and 1.5 million spectators are expected to participate in this the 20th edition of the Winter Games. Eighty four medals will be given out over the 17 days.

The seven sports which will be represented are: Skiing, Skating, Luge, Ice Hockey, Curling, Bobsleigh and Biathlon. The eight competition sites: Bardonecchia, Cesana-Pariol, Cesana-San Sicario, Pinerolo, Pragelato,Sauze d'Oulx, Sestriere, Torino, plus 2 training centres at: Claviere and Torre Pellice

Enthusiasm for the Games is growing throughout Italy, and with over half a million tickets already sold, organizers believe that there should be a large demand for Olympic tickets over the coming few months. One can purchase Torino 2006 tickets within Italy via the ticketing website, from TicketOne sales points, the branches of Gruppo Sanpaolo, or from the call centre (848 88 2006). Enthusiasts from the European Union can also order via the website, the call centre (+39 039 83 82 50) or from their National Olympic Committee. Outside the European Union, tickets can be purchased through the National Olympic Committees or official sales agents.

After a period of ‘open sales’ tickets will now be sold based on actual availability, which will be updated in real time. The seats will be assigned automatically, and tickets will be physically sent out to buyers starting 2 January 2006.

The official mascots for the Olympic Winter Games Turin 2006.