Report and photos courtesy Linda J.
Apolo is introduced at the Rocky Mtn. State Games
Finally, he was introduced with a short video clip summarizing his Olympic experience which was projected onto the side of a truck (it was getting dark by this time). Luckily Apolo didn't have to watch it, as he was seated to the side of it (you'll see when I send the pictures). I wondered if he ever tires of hearing the story of the 1000m and 1500m races from SLC in 2002. But still, he seemed appreciative of the crowd, and seems glad to be recognized and applauded for his achievements. He gave a short speech in which he spoke of his "grass roots" start in sports, as he had participated in swimming and inline skating in his youth. He encouraged all the participants to "compete as hard as they can" as he had competed as hard as he could in the Olympics. Every time he said "hard", he'd bang his hand on the podium, which could be heard through the microphone. Anyway he was warmly applauded.
Apolo lights the cauldron
As it got darker, and after the "athletes"
had paraded down the track to much cheering & applause, the "VIPs" lined up on the track.
Music was played as the torch was passed from the far end to Apolo, waiting on the other end.
He took he torch and began walking toward the stage, but first he walked up and down
(right in front of me!!) and indicated to the crowd to cheer louder. So cute! Finally,
he stepped up to the podium and lit the cauldron with the torch, to much applause. That
ended the formal ceremonies, as I recall.
All I know is that once it was over, I high-tailed it across the track (barricades? what barricades? I don't need no stinking VIP pass!!!) and right over to where Apolo was standing talking to a few people. I walked boldly up & asked if he'd do me a favor - I told him I came from Portland with something for him to sign. I told him "Jayson, the 5 year old in my skating club, wants to much to skate like you, would very much appreciate it if you could sign this collage of pictures of him skating that his grandmother made for him". He signed it with the sharpie I gave him.
As he did so, I told him of our plans for our new skating club and that I intended to invite Yuki to our Open House. He said in that cute voice "yeah - you should!" And of course he smiled and listened attentively. As he continued signing autographs and shirts for the kids, I told him I was here for Fanda & that I should probably take some pictures for Noelle to put on OZ, which I did. He said that Ruthie was there too and asked if I saw her, but I said I hadn't. He said he thinks it's so cool we were doing that (Fanda), and he wished he could be there for it, but he had plans to go out of town. So I said that was too bad, and told him it was so nice to see him again. I asked if he got to go to Seattle & see Yuki much & he said "not as often as I'd like". (Amazing how you commit a conversation with him to memory, even with the OFF in full effect!!) Then I asked a tall guy standing next to him (later I thought he must have been acting in some type of "bodyguard" capacity since he didn't leave Apolo's side that I knew of) to take my picture with him, which he did. I also took a picture of him with ALL the cheerleaders - what a HUGE grin he has in that one!! LOL.
Apolo poses with a taekwondo team next to the cauldron
That's about it....I took a few more photos & said good-bye. I walked away and saw I had a
message on my phone, so I called Melinda. She was already back at the hotel & said if I hurry,
we could make the late skating practice, as Derek had invited us to watch. By this time it was
already 9pm. I think they had scheduled it later for Apolo so he could make it. As I was talking
to Melinda, Apolo started walking right toward me with a few people. As he got closer & made
eye contact, I held out the phone and asked "Apolo, would you like to say hello to Melinda?" He
took the phone right away and said with a huge smile "sure!" So he talked to her for a few
minutes. Made her night!! She told me that she had thanked him for putting the pictures of her
on his website and he said "no, thank YOU!" And he asked her how she was doing. It was brief
but sweet. He used my cell phone!!!
Apolo signs an autograph
*whew*. So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. He never ceases to amaze, ya know?? Wish I
could have seen him practice, but by the time I got back to the room it was almost 9:45 and we
decided not to go - turns out Apolo didn't go anyway. Anyway it was a great night - seeing all the young athletes, and of course, seeing one of my most favorite athletes as well! :-)