Arrivederci, Torino

The Torino Winter Games ended with a spectacular Carnevale celebration.

However, if you're afraid of clowns, the closing ceremonies would have been an absolute nightmare.

They were everywhere!



Even red clown noses were distributed for the athletes to wear. Some did, some didn't.

The event was at times beautiful, surreal, touching, and VERY creepy if you don't like clowns. The clown band playing "YMCA" was truly bizarre even if you are a clown fan.

Still, I thought it was a fantastic finale.

Some images--


A performer on a snowboard defies gravity, floating on air.



U.S. speedskater Joey Cheek, gold and silver medalist, carries the American flag.



Following tradition, Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan waves the Olympic flag. His city will host the Winter Games in 2010.



Fireworks and light punctuate the festivities.


CONGRATULATIONS!

SPEED SKATING

MEN’S 5000M

Chad Hedrick -- GOLD

MEN'S 500M

Joey Cheek -- GOLD

MEN'S 1000M

Shani Davis -- GOLD
Joey Cheek -- SILVER

MEN'S 1500M

Shani Davis -- SILVER
Chad Hedrick -- BRONZE

MEN'S 10000M

Chad Hedrick -- SILVER

SNOWBOARDING

MEN'S HALFPIPE

Shaun White -- GOLD
Danny Kass -- SILVER

MEN'S SNOWBOARD CROSS

Seth Wescott -- GOLD

WOMEN'S HALFPIPE

Hannah Teter -- GOLD
Gretchen Bleiler -- SILVER

WOMEN'S SNOWBOARD CROSS

Lindsey Jacobellis -- SILVER

WOMEN'S PARALLEL GIANT SLALOM

Rosey Fletcher -- BRONZE

ALPING SKIING

MEN'S COMBINED

Ted Ligety -- GOLD

WOMEN'S GIANT SLALOM

Julia Mancuso -- GOLD

FREESTYLE SKIING

MEN'S MOGULS

Toby Dawson -- BRONZE

SHORT TRACK

MEN'S 1000M

Apolo Anton Ohno -- BRONZE

MEN'S 500M

Apolo Anton Ohno -- GOLD

MEN'S 5000M RELAY

Team USA -- BRONZE

ICE HOCKEY

WOMEN'S

Team USA -- BRONZE

FIGURE SKATING

ICE DANCING

Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto -- SILVER

LADIES'

Sasha Cohen -- SILVER

BOBSLED

WOMEN'S

Shauna Rohbock & Valerie Fleming -- SILVER

CURLING

MEN'S

Team USA -- BRONZE

Aboard a flight today from Torino to Amsterdam, Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick are seen taking a nap.

Are they tuckered out from their soap opera antics?

Hopefully, their experience in Torino has taught them how to behave like big boys and leave all those hard feelings behind. After all, they are on the same team and they do have tremendous accomplishments to celebrate.



On the road to Vancouver!