Wed, Feb 22, 2006 - Page 18 News List

Italians make up after icy incident

ICE DANCE All is well again for Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio, whose staredown had observers wondering if the pair would ever perform together again

NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , TURIN, ITALY

But just before they skated onto the ice, Fusar Poli, in a maroon and teal outfit, grabbed Margaglio's hands and squeezed them hard. Then they glided onto the ice and performed cleanly with emotion and resolve, as the crowd hushed.

"We came in with painful hearts, but when we heard the crowd, the heart started beating again," Margaglio said.

And when their program was done, Fusar Poli fell to her knees. Margaglio, looking stronger, stood over her, his hands on her hips. When she rose, they fell into an embrace. They hugged, and he lifted her and twirled her around. She kissed him on the cheek. He kissed her, again and again. In the end, they finished eighth, but they were talking again.

The crowd, now watching the most public kiss-and-make-up at the Olympics, began chanting, "Italia!"

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