- Narrator: The skiers of the slalom race study the course from the bottom up. The American, Lawrence, the graceful Swiss Colliard. There's room for everyone in Cortina. Even for Sophia Loren. But the fans are not distracted. They are here to watch the thrilling Olympic competitions, and openly admire the athletes, who are carefully evaluating the challenges of the course.
- Narrator: The young Swiss pharmacist, whom her country wanted to exclude, wins the slalom.
- Narrator: It is in front of the fire, while the snow falls outside, that legends are born at night.
- Narrator: Everything in nature is cold and desolate. The mountains take on a special sadness, when winter is not yet white and the sun seems to have left the world.
- Narrator: Return, of wonderful legend of the sacred flame of Olympia, symbol of peace and beauty for the people of the world.
- Giuliana Chenal-Minuzzo: For the honor of our country and the glory of sports.
- [first lines]
- Narrator: In the valleys, the sad decline of autumn is over. Once again, winter has come and the high mountain peaks already sparkle with fresh snow. The trees are silent pictures crystallized by the glancing light. The light, melancholy fog has crept into the heart of nature, and a veil of frost covers the meadows.
- Narrator: Rantanen claims a victory also for her teammates, who were anxiously awaiting her at the finish line.
- Narrator: The Italian champion skis with confidence, solid on her legs, with perfect synchronicity of movement.
- Narrator: Yeroshina arrives exhausted. On her face is written the agony of defeat.
- Narrator: The d'Ampezzo valley is covered in a thick layer of cottony gray - a strange sea that envelopes man and beast. The peaks of the Dolomites are sad, and snowy are their flanks.
- Narrator: The charming number 2, Josefine Frandl, practices moving her torso and shoulders.
- Narrator: Early morning. A dull, almost tired air. The stage is set for the white marathon.
- Narrator: Her style is just like her: soft and graceful.
- Narrator: Verzi turn, Sento straightaway. Belvedere turn, perfect. Here is the Antelao turn, followed by the Crystal turn. Perfect entrance. Very precise exit.
- Narrator: Fifty kilometers of cross-country skiing. The race is dramatic, spasmodic, and each athlete is alone with himself. The winner is not only the strongest, but he who can endure suffering the longest. The first athlete is off. At this point, all the work done, the meticulous, hard preparation of men and equipment, belongs to the past. Only the race matters now.
- Narrator: At the first hill, the white phantom of muscle spasm rears its head.
- Narrator: The brilliant Terentyev, dogged Siberian, he has hit a wall. His eyes stare vaguely ahead, as his strength fails him.
- Narrator: Sidorova, the only great downhill Russian, tests her muscles' flexibility.
- Narrator: Here comes Sidorova, daring but sure on her legs and in her movements.
- Narrator: Even the athletes who compete fairly, with pride and determination for their flags, when off the field have come together in understanding, on the short road that the young always find, from heart to heart. Some lively music, the enchantment of the d'Ampezzo valley, and friendship has sprung up spontaneously in their young hearts. A short while ago some of them were foes. Russians and Japanese, Italians and Austrians, Germans and Americans, Australians, Koreans, Poles, French, all at war with one another. But this is how they really are. Here are no barriers that divided them. In the valley, Olympia's flame burns. This is sports - a human activity capable of gathering all peoples in a spirit of peace under a single banner.
- Narrator: The Anglo-Italian cuisine of the Canadians is equally hearty, ranging from British hors d'oeuvres to Tuscan stew.
- Narrator: The Russians prefer yogurt and fish for their morning meal. Instead of the famous Volga caviar, the more modest Adriatic sole. The Russians are the champions in terms of appetite. In 15 days, they have consumed about four tons of food, which are balanced by seven gold medals won so far.
- Narrator: The Japanese have a more refined palate. A soup of Pacific seaweed, with fish meal, and rice topped with a sauce made with shrimp and sea peppers.
- Narrator: The Finns have brought with them all accouterments of the sauna. Even the special rocks from their rivers, over which water is turned into steam. This physical reaction is said to be very invigorating. But we think that it mostly fosters a huge appetite. At least, judging from the breakfast of these athletes, which is articulated in six courses full of sugars and fats.
- Narrator: It's clear that the Soviets want to reassert their supremacy.
- Narrator: This boy from Madonna di Campiglio has legs of steel.
- Narrator: It's the turn of Chiharu Igaya, small in stature, as are all Japanese, but a born athlete and great downhill skier.
- Narrator: The men chase each other with the relentlessness of bear hunters.
- Narrator: The athletic uniform is a chrysalis, from which blossoms a woman, willing to risk braking a leg during a race, but not the perfection of her evening attire.
- Narrator: Her mother's kiss seals the only German victory in Alpine skiing.
- Narrator: Madeleine is impatient to take off, like a purebred foal at the starter gate. In spite of her clear superiority, she is nervous, excited, and can barely stand the anticipation. Finally, she's off! She hurtles downhill on her powerful legs, with the perfectly synchronized movements of her arms, grazing the gates at breathtaking speed.
- Narrator: In the relentless labyrinth of the giant slalom, Tony Sailer seems to be flying. He descends lightly, as if he were dancing a waltz, and now glides toward his second gold medal. Sailer, a victor.
- Narrator: Russia - United States: a dramatic and polemic match. The United States, having beat the great team of Canada, are praying for the miracle of finishing in first place. The Americans play with enthusiasm but their rivals are more in sync, more homogeneous, more streamlined. The match is rough, with no holds barred.
- Narrator: In the evening, back at their hotels, the athletes become mere humans again. They relax, listening to music or discussing the latest competition. The women become women once again. They knit, read the latest fashion magazines, write home to tell their families about the wonderful adventure of the Olympics. The Italian Minuzzo, as well as the American Machado. They are all the same, in spite of their cultural differences.
- Narrator: The men's giant slalom course in on the flank of Mount Faloria. It begins right below the peak and is 2,260 meters long, along which are arranged 69 mandatory gates. One has but omit or skip a single gate to be disqualified.