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2006 Olympic Torch Skis into the Dolomites
The 2006 Olympic Torch re-entered Italy after a brief trip into Slovenia and Austria. The flame has crossed borders two other times in its trek across Italy. It made a stop in both Vatican City and the Republic of San Remo.
On January 21 the torch entered the area of the Vajont Dam tragedy. In recognition of the tragedy battalions of Alpini (Italian Alpine troops) carried the 2006 Olympic Torch through the area where the disaster occurred.
The Vajont Dam was one of the largest dams in the world when it was completed in 1961. On October 9, 1963 an enormous landslide consisting of forest, earth and rock occurred. The landslide hit the reservoir traveling at 68 mph (110 km per hour) causing a megatsunami that destroyed a number of villages including Longarone. The disaster killed almost 2,000 people. Among the torchbearers on this section was a survivor of the disaster and one of the rescuers.
From Longarone the 2006 Olympic Torch continued its journey through mountain villages populated with picturesque mountain chalets sitting in a snowy landscape. The torch enjoyed the mesmerizing mountain views much as any tourist would. Students from various schools and ski clubs accompanied the 2006 Olympic Torch as it made its way through Val Gardena.
Next up for the 2006 Olympic torch is the village of Cortina where its day long stay will coincide with the World Cup Ski Championships.
Posted by Jackie on January 23, 2006
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