Despite doping saga, Turin lived the dream
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-27 10:38

Where they shone, others failed.

Bode Miller, the hyped U.S. showman of the ski slopes, left empty-handed as did Italy's Giorgio Rocca, billed as his country's savior, who lasted a mere 34 seconds in the Alpine slalom before falling flat on his face.

Wayne Gretzky's Canada, the 2002 champions, failed to medal in hockey -- a blow hardly softened by Brad Gushue's men bringing home the curling gold.

Michelle Kwan's decade-long hunt for an Olympic figure skating title ended when the American limped out of town in tears with a groin injury before the Games had even started.

Norway had their worst showing in 18 years, a failure made more painful by neighbors Sweden's best performance.

HEROIC FAILURE

Sometimes the losers created the enduring images, their emotions overflowing in pain, disappointment or pure disbelief.

Skier Lindsey Kildow and France's Carole Montillet fought back from heavy crashes, American Kildow back on the piste a day after leaving hospital. They won nothing other than admiration.

American snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis, cruising unchallenged to the finish in the fast and furious new event of snowboard cross, will forever be remembered for showing off on the final jump. She fell and took the silver.

There were also farewells, none fonder than that given to the 'Speeding Sausage', Germany's Georg Hackl, on his retirement.

Huge in luge, the three times Olympic champion finished seventh in his last competition and missed out on a medal for the first time since 1984.

"That's it, finished but I feel good," said the stocky Bavarian. "I have marched through the summits and valleys and it has been a big time in my life but now I'm looking forward to the life that comes after."