Lincoln bedroom? It's the Italian alps for Bush's friends.

President's pals gets perks, like front-seats at the Olympics.

U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ron Spogli, a founder of private equity firm Freeman Spogli & Co. of Los Angeles, has been hanging out in Turin, Italy, with First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter, Barbara Bush, who are leading the U.S. delegation at the 2006 Winter Games. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who will be a participant in the closing ceremonies, will join them this week. The delegation includes presidential pals Roland Betts, of Chelsea Piers L.P. in New York, and Brad Freeman, Spogli's partner. Of course, there are a host of former Olympic medalists along as well: figure skaters Dorothy Hamill and Debi Thomas, speed skater Eric Heiden, gymnast Kerri Strug and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who competed in the bobsled in the 1992 Olympic Games.

The U.S. delegation will spend much of the festivities lounging with kings, queens and heads of state including Spain's King Juan Carlos, Norway's King Harald V, Prince Albert of Monaco and Cherie Blair, the wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Staff reporter Kate Berry can be reached at [phone], ext. 228, or at [e-mail]