Forty-six Polish aces are poised to take part in the Winter Olympics, which begin tomorrow in Turin, Northern Italy.
Poland will be represented in nine events, including bob-sleigh, speed skating and ski jumping. Adam Malysz, the national hero of the latter sport, won two gold medals at the last Olympics in Salt Lake City. However, the man known alternately as 'the Flying Moustache' and 'the Polish Batman' has had a tricky season.
Dismissed by the pundits as out of the running, Malysz nevertheless managed to salvage some form by snatching fourth place at last months championship in his native Zakopane. Can Mr Malysz edge back into Pole Position?
If so he will have to avoid the temptations of Turin's confectionery galaxy. The city, brought memorably to the screen in the film 'The Italian Job', is also known as 'the chocolate capital of Italy'. Turin has truly taken cocoa refinement to Willy Wonka levels. The 'gianduja', a Torinese speciality that blends creamy chocolate and hazelnuts, ranks as one of Italy's greatest contributions to world civilization, alongside spaghetti, mopeds and footballers who feign injury like a diva from the Teatro Grande. Buona Fortuna Signor Malysz!
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