The 2006 Winter Olympics came to a close in Torino, Italy, with some memorable medals, events, and a powerfully emotional closing ceremony. The United States departed the games with twenty-five medals, some surprising winners, and some honorable moments. Speedskater Joey Cheek set a standard for Olympic class, winning two medals and donating his $40,000 reward from the U.S. Olympic Committee to a charity for children trapped in war zones. Skiers Julia Mancuso and Ted Ligety became unlikely gold medalists, and Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis lost the gold in an unfortunate turn of events.

Germany left the 20th Winter Olympic games with the most medals, collecting twenty-nine in total, eleven of them gold.

Sweden took home the gold medal in Men's Ice Hockey, during an emotionally charged game, showcasing three of their strongest players in what will probably be their last Olympic game together.

After Michelle Kwan's early departure from the games, Emily Hughes, younger sister of gold medalist Sarah Hughes, was brought into the Women's Figure Skating competition, only to be upset by Japanese champion Shizuka Arakawa who took home the gold medal in a fiercely exciting set of competitions.