The 2006 Olympic Winter Games emblem portrays the unmistakable silhouette of the Mole Antonelliana. It is transformed into a mountain, among crystals of ice, where the white snow meets the blue sky. The crystals come together to form a web: the web of new technologies and the eternal Olympic spirit of communion among peoples.

XX Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. February 10 - 26, 2006
by Kelly Croslis

In a little over two months the country and the world will gather around their TV's, crowd stands in another country and hope for the best for their teams. Yes, it is time once again for the Olympics. In the coming months come visit for the latest news on this world event, beginning with the Olympic Flame relay, the things to look for in this years games and of course, the highlights.

The flame is the very symbol of the Olympics, going back to the Games of ancient Greece, when athletes competed in a relay race, passing the torch from one to another. According to Greek mythology, Prometheus stole the sacred spark of Fire from the Gods and brought it to Earth, where it became the symbol of human reason, freedom and creativity.

The Greek custom of passing the flame was first officially began at the Olympic games of 1928. For 12 days and 13 nights, 3,331 torch bearers carried the flame from ancient Olympia to Berlin. Since then the Olympic torch relay has become an essential part of the Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch Relay is a great show, bringing people out of their houses and into the streets, but is also part of a long calendar of events, shows and performances that welcome the arrival of the Flame in each handover city. More than any symbol, the torch brings the Olympic Games back to their ancient origins, recalling a tradition that is thousands of years old.

This is not the first time the Olympic torch has passed through Italy, first in 1956 for the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, then again in 1960 for the Rome Games. On December 8, 2005 the flame will return to Italy for the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch relay.

Beginning in Rome, for two months, the torch will travel through Italy touching all regions and provinces. More than ten thousand torchbearers will act as bearers of the Olympic spirit, ending on February 10, 2006 with its arrival at its final destination and the Opening Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

About the Author: Kelly Croslis is a stay-at-home-mom to 3 busy teenage girls. After moving around the country with her husband for the last 15 years, while he has served in the U.S. Navy, they are looking forward to joining the 'civilian world' later this year. She has been writing for several years, having several works published in Poem Anthologies. Families Online Magazine hopes you enjoy our parenting features!