Can’t get your fill this year of Winter Olympic events on television or on the sports pages? No need to despair. You don’t have to travel to Italy to see the Winter Olympics; you can see or even participate in some winter Olympic events this year at the Bank of America City Center skating rink in Downtown Providence.

The first-ever Down City Olympic Winter Fest will be held at Providence's popular skating rink during the same time period as the Winter Olympics in Italy. The opening ceremonies on Friday, February 10 at 5pm features the lighting of the official Olympic Winter Fest Torch. The festival runs through February 26th, matching the running of the 2006 Olympic Games in Turino.

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Some of the more traditional events include speed skating for men and women in different age categories and figure skating demonstrations.

The festival also features the first ever ice curling exhibition match in Providence. Curling, which began in Scotland in the 16th century, is played both recreationally and competitively. The game is played on ice between two four-person teams that slide 42-pound granite stones toward a target 140 feet away. Curling became a full-medal sport at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Its popularity has increased worldwide since the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Other events fall into the “only-in-Providence” category. For example, there will be an ice biathlon competition, completely unlike the traditional Olympic event which features cross country skiing and shooting at targets with a rifle. The Providence version will feature speed skating through a slalom ice course and will include “target practice” using a tennis ball, a football, and a hockey puck. Other challenging events will include team competitions such as in-chair racing and toboggan racing around the ice rink.

“You don’t need to be an Olympian to participate in the Providence Olympics,” said the Mayor. “You just need the Olympic spirit and a desire to have fun.”

If you've always wanted to be an Olympic athelete, this may be your chance. Individuals and teams can register to participate by going to www.providenceskating.com or to www.turnto10.com; or by sending an email to kerry_sullivan@verizon.net. The 2010 Olympics will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, still a bit far away in distance and time, so don't miss your chance this year in Providence.

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