Behind the Scenes: Oprah's Olympic Games Celebration
![The crew sets up for Oprah's Olympic Games celebration. The crew sets up for Oprah's Olympic Games celebration.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics1_350x263.jpg)
The night before the taping of Oprah's 23rd season premiere, the crew is hard at work setting up at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in the heart of Chicago's Millennium Park.
![Olympic athletes, including members of the basketball and gymnastic teams, pose for pictures. Olympic athletes, including members of the basketball and gymnastic teams, pose for pictures.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics2_350x263.jpg)
Although they've got starstruck fans all over the world, the Olympians are also fans of one another. The tallest and the smallest athletes take a minute to catch up and pose for pictures during rehearsal.
![The staff discusses last minute details. The staff discusses last minute details.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics3_350x263.jpg)
The morning of the show, the staff gathers onstage to review last-minute details as early bird fans stake out their spots on the lawn of Millennium Park.
![David Cook talks to stage manager Dean. David Cook talks to stage manager Dean.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics4_350x263.jpg)
American Idol winner David Cook consults with stage manager Dean during sound check as excited fans cheer him on from the lawn.
![Gymnasts do handstands on a double decker bus. Gymnasts do handstands on a double decker bus.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics5_350x263.jpg)
If you won medals at the Olympic Games, wouldn't you feel like doing handstands? Two gymnasts seize the moment! All the Olympians arrived in style on double-decker buses and trolleys.
![Michael Phelps and his mother, Debbie, greet the press line. Michael Phelps and his mother, Debbie, greet the press line.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics6_350x263.jpg)
Michael Phelps and his mother, Debbie, greet the press line.
![Oprah talks to a reporter. Oprah talks to a reporter.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics7_350x263.jpg)
Before taking the stage, Oprah chats with Entertainment Tonight reporter Kevin Frazier.
![Lisa Leslie talks to the press. Lisa Leslie talks to the press.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics8_350x263.jpg)
Lisa Leslie, a Team USA™ womens basketball and Los Angeles Sparks player, meets the crowd. Women's basketball has taken home the gold in the last four Olympic Games—and Lisa's been part of every team!
![Shawn Johnson talks to reporters. Shawn Johnson talks to reporters.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics9_350x263.jpg)
The press gets down for gymnast Shawn Johnson.
![The water polo team eats breakfast. The water polo team eats breakfast.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics10_350x263.jpg)
Once arriving at Oprah's Olympic Village, the athletes are greeted with a hearty breakfast. Members of the water polo team dig in.
![Gayle talks to Dara Torres. Gayle talks to Dara Torres.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics11_350x263.jpg)
Gayle conducts an interview with silver medalist swimmer Dara Torres for her Oprah Radio XM Radio show.
![Medals from the Beijing Olympics Medals from the Beijing Olympics](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics12_350x263.jpg)
Months before the Olympic Games, gymnast Nastia Liukin put a photo of a gold medal on her vision board. The day of the season premiere taping, she proudly displays her own gold, silver and bronze!
![Jamie Hipp poses for a photo. Jamie Hipp poses for a photo.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics13_350x263.jpg)
After the athletes arrived, they all took a moment to sign an Olympic banner. Water polo player Jamie Hipp is blown away by all the signatures!
![Shooting team members Walton Eller and Vincent Hancock take a moment to celebrate their gold medals. Shooting team members Walton Eller and Vincent Hancock take a moment to celebrate their gold medals.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics14_350x263.jpg)
Shooting team members Walton Eller and Vincent Hancock take a moment to celebrate their gold medals.
![Women's rowing team members Mary Whipple, Erin Carfaro and Michelle Guerette say cheese. Women's rowing team members Mary Whipple, Erin Carfaro and Michelle Guerette say cheese.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics15_350x263.jpg)
Women's rowing team members Mary Whipple, Erin Carfaro and Michelle Guerette say cheese.
![David Cook performs David Cook performs](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics16_350x263.jpg)
The audience is doused with red, white and blue confetti during the show's grand finale—a performance by American Idol winner David Cook.
![Nastia Liukin says hi to the crowd. Nastia Liukin says hi to the crowd.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics17_350x263.jpg)
After the taping ends, Olympians head out to the crowd to thank the fans. Gymnast Nastia Liukin embraces the experience.
![Shawn Johnson makes her way through the crowd. Shawn Johnson makes her way through the crowd.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics18_350x263.jpg)
Gymnast Shawn Johnson also makes her way through the crowd.
![Michael Phelps greets fans. Michael Phelps greets fans.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics19_350x263.jpg)
Ecstatic audience members greet Michael Phelps.
![Track team members greet fans. Track team members greet fans.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics20_350x263.jpg)
Members of the women's track team go the extra distance to meet the fans in the furthest seats from the stage.
![Mayor Daley poses with the mens basketball team. Mayor Daley poses with the mens basketball team.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics21_350x263.jpg)
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley had never attended an Oprah Show until this Olympic Games celebration. After taping is over, he takes a moment to pose with the men's basketball team.
![Oprah talks with Debbie and Michael Phelps. Oprah talks with Debbie and Michael Phelps.](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://images.oprah.com/images/tows/200809/20080903/20080903_btsolympics22_350x263.jpg)
At the end of the day, Oprah took photos with the Olympians and their families. She shares a moment with Debbie and Michael Phelps.
Published 09/03/2008