BELBIN & AGOSTO SKATE ON TORINO ICE AND JACOBELLIS MAKES OLYMPIC DEBUT FRIDAY ON NBC

"The Ice Dance Event with Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, I Love the Fact That They're There. Everybody Says Maybe This Shouldn't Be So Because She's a Canadian and So Forth and I Say 'Phooey' on That."-Dick Button

TORINO, Italy -- February 16, 2006 -- Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto and Lindsey Jacobellis make their Olympic debuts Friday on NBC's continuing coverage of the Torino Olympics on NBC, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC HD and Universal HD. NBC's Friday primetime coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT with the start of the ice dancing competition that features top American duo Belbin & Agosto and the U.S.'s Lindsey Jacobellis competes in the Olympic debut of women's snowboard cross.

The ice dancing competition gets underway with the U.S.'s Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Canton, Mich.), who won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and could become the first Americans to win a medal in this event since 1976. Belbin, who was born in Canada and did not expect to be able to represent the U.S. in 2006, became an American citizen on December 31, just 41 days before the Opening Ceremony.

"The ice dance event with Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, I love the fact that they're there. Everybody says maybe this shouldn't be so because she's a Canadian and so forth and I say 'phooey' on that. Besides, the amount of cross-country influences throughout the whole world of skating, including the judging, has been enormous. Isn't the Olympics all about having the best people there?", said Dick Button.

As women's snowboard cross makes its Olympic debut, the American Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) is the favorite and NBC's snowboarding analyst Todd Richards said, "Coming into Torino, Lindsey Jacobellis's chances in this course are great because it has very freestyle oriented features found mostly in terrain park environments. She has halfpipe and great freeride skills and this will give her the advantage over the others who concentrate only on racing."

In the women's combined, keep an eye on Minnesota native Lindsey Kildow, who is expected to compete despite having been hospitalized earlier in the week after a scary crash during her downhill training run.

Highlights for Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, include:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

NBC

4:00 p.m.�5:00 p.m. Cross Country--Men's 15km Gold Medal Final Snowboarding--Women's Snowboard Cross Competition

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Figure Skating--Ice Dancing Competition Snowboarding--Women's Snowboard Cross Gold Medal Final Alpine Skiing--Women's Combined (Downhill & Slalom) Gold Medal Final Skeleton--Men's Gold Medal Final

12:05 a.m.-1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Individual Competition Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

4:00 a.m.�1:30 p.m. Curling-�Men's Match (Non-USA) Women USA (1-3) vs. Russia (1-3)-(LIVE) Hockey--Women USA (3-0-0) vs. Sweden (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE) Bobsled--Two Man Final Training Runs

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

3:00 p.m.�5:30 p.m. Hockey--Women's Canada (3-0-0) vs. Finland (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling � Men: USA (3-2) vs. Switzerland (2-2)

UNIVERSAL HD

11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hockey--Women USA (3-0-0) vs. Sweden (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Women's Canada (3-0-0) vs. Finland (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

The figure skating competition continues with the elegance and artistry of ice dancing, the event that was immortalized with Torvill and Dean's Bolero. The top USA duo, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Canton, Mich.), won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and could become the first Americans to win a medal in this event since 1976. Belbin, who was born in Canada and did not expect to be able to represent the U.S. in 2006, became an American citizen on December 31, just 41 days before the Opening Ceremony.

One downhill dash and two slalom runs will determine who wins gold in the women's combined. Alpine queens Janica Kostelic (Croatia) and Anja Paerson (Sweden) are the favorites, but keep an eye on Minnesota native Lindsey Kildow, who is expected to compete despite having been hospitalized earlier in the week after a scary crash during her downhill training run.

World champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.), introduced to America as the featured star of VISA's Torino Winter Games ad campaign, looks to make history tonight by winning the first ever gold medal in women's snowboard cross� in a head-to-head four-woman race down a course filled with bumps and jumps. Imagine BMX racing on snow, with competitors navigating bumps, jumps and turns down a slick mountainside, struggling for position as they drive toward the finish.

It's the men's turn to navigate the Olympic skeleton track's tricky turns headfirst and face down at high speeds for gold. The USA has medal possibilities in this wide-open event, including Pennsylvania's Eric Bernotas, who gave up his job as a stone mason to pursue the sport four years ago.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

The world's best men's cross-country skiers, arguably the fittest athletes in the world, contest this draining, 15km (9.3 miles) race through the hills over Pragelato.

World champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) begins her quest to make history in the debut of women's snowboard cross--a head-to-head four-woman race down a course filled with bumps and jumps.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Ski Jumping moves to the K125-large hill, where skiers reach speeds near 60 mph and can soar more than 400-feet, think of flying through both goal posts on a football field. Janne Ahonen is the latest "Flying Finn" and the reigning world champion in this event.

Medals and music from the Medals Plaza in downtown Torino.

USA HIGHLIGHTS:

The women's hockey tournament takes center ice with LIVE coverage of both semifinals. The reigning world champion USA squad and defending gold medalist Canada are expected to take the final step toward another gold medal showdown.

Highlights for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006, include:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

NBC

Noon-6:00 p.m. Cross Country--Women's Relay Gold Medal Final Biathlon--Men's Pursuit Gold Medal Final Hockey--Men: USA vs. Slovakia (LIVE) Short Track Speed Skating--Women's 1500m Semifinals

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Alpine Skiing--Men's Super-G Gold Medal Final Short Track Speed Skating--Men's 1000m Gold Medal Final Women's 1500m Gold Medal Final Speed Skating--Men's 1000m Gold Medal Final Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Individual Gold Medal Final Bobsled--Two Man Competition

Midnight-1:00 a.m. Biathlon--Women's Pursuit Gold Medal Final Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:00 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Primetime Replay

CNBC

5:00 a.m.�1:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Russia vs. Kazakhstan (LIVE) Men: Italy vs. Germany (LIVE) Men: Canada vs. Switzerland (LIVE) Men: Sweden vs. Latvia (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Czech Republic vs. Finland (LIVE)

USA

8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Curling--Men: USA vs. Germany (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Women: USA vs. Italy

UNIVERSAL HD

5:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Russia vs. Kazakhstan (LIVE) Men: Italy vs. Germany (LIVE) Men: Canada vs. Switzerland (LIVE) Men: Sweden vs. Latvia (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Czech Republic vs. Finland (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

You don't want to miss the men's Super-G gold medal final, the speed event where all of the world's best skiers are expected to collide in one super-heated showdown. Americans Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, N.H.) and Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, Calif.) have each won world titles in this event and will attempt to outrace Austrian superstars Hermann Maier and Benni Raich.

Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno skates for gold in the 1000m, the event in which he frantically slid across the finish line to take silver after a final turn collision in Salt Lake City.

South Side Chicago native Shani Davis, the first black speed skater to compete for the USA at any Olympics, is the world record holder and a gold medal contender in the 1000m. Also watch for Torino gold medalist in the 500m Joey Cheek of North Carolina, and strong contingents from the Netherlands, Norway and host country Italy.

Soar with the latest "Flying Finn," world champion Janne Ahonen, who doubles as a drag racer back home, in ski jumping's big event, the K125-large hill gold medal final.

The bobsled competition begins with the Two Man event, where Salt Lake City silver medalist Todd Hays, the former college football player at the University of Tulsa and kickboxer, returns as the USA's top driver.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

LIVE coverage from the rink as the USA men's hockey team skates one step closer to the medal round against Slovakia.

In the 1500m, short track's longest and most strategic individual event, double-Salt Lake gold medalist Yang Yang (A) of China and fast-improving Americans Hyo-Jung Kim and Allison Baver attempt to advance to the gold medal final.

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

LIVE men's hockey coverage continues with key match-ups involving the gold medal winning teams from the past two Games--Czech Republic and Canada--and always formidable Russia.

Listings subject to change, please check NBCOlympics.com for updates.

BELBIN & AGOSTO SKATE ON TORINO ICE AND JACOBELLIS MAKES OLYMPIC DEBUT FRIDAY ON NBC

"The Ice Dance Event with Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, I Love the Fact That They're There. Everybody Says Maybe This Shouldn't Be So Because She's a Canadian and So Forth and I Say 'Phooey' on That."-Dick Button

TORINO, Italy -- February 16, 2006 -- Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto and Lindsey Jacobellis make their Olympic debuts Friday on NBC's continuing coverage of the Torino Olympics on NBC, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC HD and Universal HD. NBC's Friday primetime coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT with the start of the ice dancing competition that features top American duo Belbin & Agosto and the U.S.'s Lindsey Jacobellis competes in the Olympic debut of women's snowboard cross.

The ice dancing competition gets underway with the U.S.'s Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Canton, Mich.), who won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and could become the first Americans to win a medal in this event since 1976. Belbin, who was born in Canada and did not expect to be able to represent the U.S. in 2006, became an American citizen on December 31, just 41 days before the Opening Ceremony.

"The ice dance event with Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, I love the fact that they're there. Everybody says maybe this shouldn't be so because she's a Canadian and so forth and I say 'phooey' on that. Besides, the amount of cross-country influences throughout the whole world of skating, including the judging, has been enormous. Isn't the Olympics all about having the best people there?", said Dick Button.

As women's snowboard cross makes its Olympic debut, the American Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) is the favorite and NBC's snowboarding analyst Todd Richards said, "Coming into Torino, Lindsey Jacobellis's chances in this course are great because it has very freestyle oriented features found mostly in terrain park environments. She has halfpipe and great freeride skills and this will give her the advantage over the others who concentrate only on racing."

In the women's combined, keep an eye on Minnesota native Lindsey Kildow, who is expected to compete despite having been hospitalized earlier in the week after a scary crash during her downhill training run.

Highlights for Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, include:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

NBC

4:00 p.m.�5:00 p.m. Cross Country--Men's 15km Gold Medal Final Snowboarding--Women's Snowboard Cross Competition

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Figure Skating--Ice Dancing Competition Snowboarding--Women's Snowboard Cross Gold Medal Final Alpine Skiing--Women's Combined (Downhill & Slalom) Gold Medal Final Skeleton--Men's Gold Medal Final

12:05 a.m.-1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Individual Competition Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

4:00 a.m.�1:30 p.m. Curling-�Men's Match (Non-USA) Women USA (1-3) vs. Russia (1-3)-(LIVE) Hockey--Women USA (3-0-0) vs. Sweden (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE) Bobsled--Two Man Final Training Runs

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

3:00 p.m.�5:30 p.m. Hockey--Women's Canada (3-0-0) vs. Finland (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling � Men: USA (3-2) vs. Switzerland (2-2)

UNIVERSAL HD

11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hockey--Women USA (3-0-0) vs. Sweden (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Women's Canada (3-0-0) vs. Finland (2-0-1) Semifinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

The figure skating competition continues with the elegance and artistry of ice dancing, the event that was immortalized with Torvill and Dean's Bolero. The top USA duo, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto (Canton, Mich.), won the silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and could become the first Americans to win a medal in this event since 1976. Belbin, who was born in Canada and did not expect to be able to represent the U.S. in 2006, became an American citizen on December 31, just 41 days before the Opening Ceremony.

One downhill dash and two slalom runs will determine who wins gold in the women's combined. Alpine queens Janica Kostelic (Croatia) and Anja Paerson (Sweden) are the favorites, but keep an eye on Minnesota native Lindsey Kildow, who is expected to compete despite having been hospitalized earlier in the week after a scary crash during her downhill training run.

World champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.), introduced to America as the featured star of VISA's Torino Winter Games ad campaign, looks to make history tonight by winning the first ever gold medal in women's snowboard cross� in a head-to-head four-woman race down a course filled with bumps and jumps. Imagine BMX racing on snow, with competitors navigating bumps, jumps and turns down a slick mountainside, struggling for position as they drive toward the finish.

It's the men's turn to navigate the Olympic skeleton track's tricky turns headfirst and face down at high speeds for gold. The USA has medal possibilities in this wide-open event, including Pennsylvania's Eric Bernotas, who gave up his job as a stone mason to pursue the sport four years ago.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

The world's best men's cross-country skiers, arguably the fittest athletes in the world, contest this draining, 15km (9.3 miles) race through the hills over Pragelato.

World champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) begins her quest to make history in the debut of women's snowboard cross--a head-to-head four-woman race down a course filled with bumps and jumps.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Ski Jumping moves to the K125-large hill, where skiers reach speeds near 60 mph and can soar more than 400-feet, think of flying through both goal posts on a football field. Janne Ahonen is the latest "Flying Finn" and the reigning world champion in this event.

Medals and music from the Medals Plaza in downtown Torino.

USA HIGHLIGHTS:

The women's hockey tournament takes center ice with LIVE coverage of both semifinals. The reigning world champion USA squad and defending gold medalist Canada are expected to take the final step toward another gold medal showdown.

Highlights for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006, include:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

NBC

Noon-6:00 p.m. Cross Country--Women's Relay Gold Medal Final Biathlon--Men's Pursuit Gold Medal Final Hockey--Men: USA vs. Slovakia (LIVE) Short Track Speed Skating--Women's 1500m Semifinals

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Alpine Skiing--Men's Super-G Gold Medal Final Short Track Speed Skating--Men's 1000m Gold Medal Final Women's 1500m Gold Medal Final Speed Skating--Men's 1000m Gold Medal Final Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Individual Gold Medal Final Bobsled--Two Man Competition

Midnight-1:00 a.m. Biathlon--Women's Pursuit Gold Medal Final Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:00 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Primetime Replay

CNBC

5:00 a.m.�1:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Russia vs. Kazakhstan (LIVE) Men: Italy vs. Germany (LIVE) Men: Canada vs. Switzerland (LIVE) Men: Sweden vs. Latvia (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Czech Republic vs. Finland (LIVE)

USA

8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Curling--Men: USA vs. Germany (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Women: USA vs. Italy

UNIVERSAL HD

5:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Russia vs. Kazakhstan (LIVE) Men: Italy vs. Germany (LIVE) Men: Canada vs. Switzerland (LIVE) Men: Sweden vs. Latvia (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Czech Republic vs. Finland (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

You don't want to miss the men's Super-G gold medal final, the speed event where all of the world's best skiers are expected to collide in one super-heated showdown. Americans Bode Miller (Bretton Woods, N.H.) and Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, Calif.) have each won world titles in this event and will attempt to outrace Austrian superstars Hermann Maier and Benni Raich.

Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno skates for gold in the 1000m, the event in which he frantically slid across the finish line to take silver after a final turn collision in Salt Lake City.

South Side Chicago native Shani Davis, the first black speed skater to compete for the USA at any Olympics, is the world record holder and a gold medal contender in the 1000m. Also watch for Torino gold medalist in the 500m Joey Cheek of North Carolina, and strong contingents from the Netherlands, Norway and host country Italy.

Soar with the latest "Flying Finn," world champion Janne Ahonen, who doubles as a drag racer back home, in ski jumping's big event, the K125-large hill gold medal final.

The bobsled competition begins with the Two Man event, where Salt Lake City silver medalist Todd Hays, the former college football player at the University of Tulsa and kickboxer, returns as the USA's top driver.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

LIVE coverage from the rink as the USA men's hockey team skates one step closer to the medal round against Slovakia.

In the 1500m, short track's longest and most strategic individual event, double-Salt Lake gold medalist Yang Yang (A) of China and fast-improving Americans Hyo-Jung Kim and Allison Baver attempt to advance to the gold medal final.

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

LIVE men's hockey coverage continues with key match-ups involving the gold medal winning teams from the past two Games--Czech Republic and Canada--and always formidable Russia.

Listings subject to change, please check NBCOlympics.com for updates.