TURN OF THE CENTURY
For the final Olympic Games of the 20th century, Nagano welcomes athletes form 72 nations and a global television audience to a region rich in Oriental history and native culture.
CEREMONIAL START AND FINISH
The Nagano Games begin in solemn, near-reverent fashion with opening ceremonies that feature Japanese culture ranging from sumo wrestling to pillar-raising rituals. However, the closing ceremonies wind up the two-plus weeks in festive fashion, with 2,00 rhythmic drums, 50,000 traditional lanterns and $5 million worth of fireworks.
NHL ON ICE
The National Hockey League finally gives its full support to Olympic competition, even taking a break in its regular season to send NHL superstars to Nagano. Becaue of the overload of pro talent on their teams, Canada and United States are deemed the pre-Games favorites, but neither leaves with Olympic medals. The Czech Republic team, which includes star center Jaomir Jagr and goaltender supreme Dominik Hasek but also features the fewest number of pro players of any final-round Olympic teams, shocks Canada in the semifinals with a shootout victory before downing Russia in the final for the gold.
MEN BEHAVING BADLY
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Norway nordic skier Bjorn Dahlie collects four medals in Nagano to become the winningest athlete in Winter Games history. He ups his career total to 12 medals, including eight gold.
YOUTHFUL FIGURE
At age 15, Tara Lipinski of the United States becomes the youngest to win the womenican Michelle Kwan. In the men SRC="/img/point.gif" WIDTH="13" HEIGHT="9" VALIGN="MIDDLE">ALSO NEW IN NAGANO
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Snow, rain and then more snow batter the alpine courses in nearby Hakuba, delaying several of the alpine events.
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