People

IT'S TRUE. HE SKATED FAST SHANI DAVIS became the first African-American male to earn Winter Olympic gold by winning the 1,000-m speedskating race. But he didn't win friends. Davis had skipped the team-pursuit event to train for the 1,000, an individual race. When asked about Davis' win, American Chad Hedrick, who raced in the pursuit, said, "Shani skated fast today. That's about all I have to say." Joked Davis: "At least he said I skated fast. That was nice." Want drama? The two square off this week in the 1,500.

A DIVA GETS STOOD UP Upon arriving in Torino, U.S. national figure-skating champ JOHNNY WEIR admitted to being "princessy" when he travels. He complained that his Olympic Village quarters were cramped and so dusty that he had to mop the floor himself. Entering the free program in second place, Weir lost focus, shuffling his elements around and finishing fifth. Turns out that two hours before skating, he had been waiting in the cold for a bus that never came. Maybe he's got a point about crummy service.

BODE MILLER PUCKERS UP--AND PETERS OUT BODE MILLER wasn't talking again, which is a record of sorts for a guy who has a hard time stopping his gums from flapping. Of course, it would have been difficult to speak following last Saturday's super-G, after he almost swallowed a flag gate that took him out of the race. That made Miller 0 for 3 in the skiing speed events of the Games' first week. Coming out of a tight turn, Miller collided face first with a double gate and veered wildly off course, flying down on his right ski before regaining control. As far as skiing goes, it was a spectacular recovery. As far as outcomes, it was another dud. Miller was spotted after the race skiing out of the area toward the mobile home he lives in on the winter circuit. He has also been seen at nightspots in Sestriere, even bussing the requisite Playboy Playmate, a type that shows up at the Olympics just like those annoying mascots. Miller's coaches insist that he's not skiing badly, just having bad luck. "He's been engaged and active," says head coach Phil McNichol. "He's skiing as strong and fast through intervals in training as any other skier." Miller has just two more chances to prove it.

2006 OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATER, AT YOUR SERVICE EMILY HUGHES could be the Cinderella of the Olympics. An alternate on the U.S. women's figure-skating team, the 17-year-old sister of 2002 gold medalist Sarah learned a day after Opening Ceremonies that she would get to go to the ball in Torino as a last-minute sub for injured Michelle Kwan. But even Cinderella started out by sweeping the floor. The price for Hughes' invitation to the Games? Being a mule for Russian rival and reigning world champion IRINA SLUTSKAYA, inset. The two share a New York City dressmaker, and when the seamstress found out that Hughes--who lives in a Manhattan suburb--was traveling to Torino, she asked the skater to pack Slutskaya's dress too. After the family arrived in Italy, Hughes' father John confirmed that they had the Russian's dress and joked, "I tried it on." I guess we'll know whom to question if another big sporting event is plagued by a wardrobe malfunction.

With reporting by Sean Gregory, Bill Saporito, Alice Park, A.P.