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Shelley Osterloh reportingEach Olympic city learns from the city that hosted the games before. And for some Utahns who worked the Salt Lake games, that means a great opportunity to live and work in Torino.
For security reasons, Torino's Athlete Village is closed to most outsiders. But we got a rare view inside because a Utah man is helping to get the village organized and running.
Dan Merkley worked to set up the Salt Lake Olympic village and is working now for Toroc. Among his responsibilities: working with each country on their teams needs and space allotment within the village.
It's a tough job considering there are 85 teams in three Olympic villages-- one large one in Torino, and two others at mountain venues which are hours away.
Daniel Merkley, TOROC Olympic Village Management: "So they're splitting cars, they're splitting administrators. They are trying to have a cohesive team. When are they going to get their team together except for ceremonies? It's a very difficult thing for teams and for the organization committee."
The Torino village will house about 2500 athletes, coaches and support staff. There are a series of private apartment-like buildings that will serve as housing.
From the Olympic Village in Torino, athletes can go right from their bedroom onto a balcony with an incredible view of the city.
The common areas are mostly refurbished concrete structures that used to be part of an old street market left vacant for decades.
Daniel Merkley, TOROC Olympic Village Management: "One of the challenges our retail and leisure services will have is to make this international zone like a town center, vibrant, because it is so big."
Merkley says the Italians have waited longer than Utahns to complete facilities for the games, so there is still a lot of last minute work to do. But he is confident it will all be ready. And he says he has loved being part of it.
Daniel Merkley, TOROC Olympic Village Management: "Actually being in Italy and working with Italians is one of the reasons I've enjoyed myself so much. Torino is a great city."
And as Salt Lake did four years ago, Torino is about to welcome the world. The Winter Olympics get under way in just 18 days, right here on KSL.
