The Pride of Torino...

The magnificent Stadio delle Alpi...


The Winter Olympics will be good fun in Torino the next two weeks, and there is plenty to see in the city of the shroud. But make no mistake, the real pulse of Torino resides inside the awesome Stadio delle Alpi, built for the 1990 World Cup and home of the famous soccer team Juventus, owned by the Agnelli family of Fiat. In the soccer world, Torino and Juventus are synonymous. I do not believe they will be using the delle Alpi for any Olympic activities, as soccer season is in full flight right now.

The delle Alpi is not without detractors, however, many of whom say it is too big, with seats too far away from the action. The older Stadio Communale in the city (Juve's old home ground and now being used by the other team in town, Torino) is considered a more soccer-friendly facility. But, aesthetically, at least, delle Alpi ranks with the grandest stadiums in the world...