The 10 Danish athletes and officials at the Turin Games won’t have extra security despite the outrage across the Muslim world over cartoons first published in Denmark depicting the Prophet Mohammad. About 10,000 Danes are expected to cancel trips abroad, heeding security advice from the foreign ministry, but the Danish Olympic Committee head and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Kai Holm told reporters “if you take a look at security, this (Turin) is one of the most secure places in the world. We have no plans to change our security, there will be no change”, adding that the same safety measures would be in place as in previous Games. Earlier Wednesday Copenhagen was elected to stage the 2009 IOC Congress.
Italy’s parliament gave its final approval to measures that include financing for the Turin 2006 Games. The lower house of parliament passed the measures a day after the government won a confidence vote tied to the package, and two days before the Opening Ceremony of the Turin Winter Games. The Senate approved it last month. Italy’s Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s government drew up the measure to help cover a $96 million budget shortfall for the Games.
The Turin Opening Ceremony begins at 8 p.m. local time and there won’t be any planes going in or out during the ceremony. The company that operates Turin’s Caselle airport says there will be no takeoffs or landings from 6:45 that evening until 11:15 that night.
Eighty-two of the 202 National Olympic Committees (NOC) recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed their participation in the Turin Games – a new record for NOC participation at Olympic Winter Games. The previous record was held by Salt Lake City, which had 77 NOCs participating. During the Games it is also estimated that there will be about 60 per cent male athletes to 40 per cent female, with half in the 16 to 24-age range. IOC President Jacques Rogge said he was delighted that a record number of National Olympic Committees will be participating at this year’s Winter Games.
About 40 heads of State and government, kings, queens and first ladies have already confirmed that they will be attending the Turin Games Opening Ceremony. IOC members already in Turin include Albert of Monaco and former King Constantine of Greece. Norway confirmed the presence of King Harold while the King of Sweden is likely to arrive in Turin once the Games begin. Other guests will be from Germany, the United States and Great Britain. There will also be Heads of State from Finland, Poland and Slovakia.
It’s been revealed that renowned operative tenor Luciano Pavarotti will sing Friday night at the Opening Ceremony of the Games. Pavarotti’s appearance at the Games had been a closely guarded secret. No further details were provided.
