AP News from Noelle (brace yourself for the infamous girlfriend quote)
Olympian Ohno Visits Olympia By REBECCA COOK .c The Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Gary Locke wore one on his chin. Teen-age Senate pages sported them, too. Sen. Bob Oke slapped one atop his bald head. Olympic champion speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno visited the state capitol Thursday, and that meant one thing: Soul patches aplenty. Lawmakers and awe-struck schoolchildren paid tribute to Ohno's determination and spirit as well as his distinctive facial hair. ``You truly embodied the Olympic spirit,'' Locke told the 19-year-old athlete before declaring March 14 ``Apolo Anton Ohno Day'' in Ohno's home state of Washington. ``You are an inspiration.'' Ohno, blushing, pulled his father in front of the microphone when Locke turned it over to him. ``What an honor,'' said Yuki Ohno, a Seattle hair salon owner who raised Apolo as a single parent and encouraged him to pursue short-track speedskating. Ohno said it felt good to be home. In the governor's conference room, he answered questions from visiting children and teen-agers who work in Olympia as pages. Queries ranged from the color of his toothbrush (green and white) to whether he wants to compete in the Olympics again (yes). One girl boldly asked, ``Everyone at my school wants to know, do you have a girlfriend?'' Ohno said that while it's hard to maintain a steady relationship while training for the Olympics, he is seeing someone now. Ohno also said he plans to continue training and competing, while hopefully taking some time to relax as well as continue his education. Ohno won a gold medal in the Olympics, but he first won fame and admiration after falling in the 1,000-meter race and slashing open his leg. Hurt and bloodied, he painfully scrambled across the finish line to win the silver. ``We were so awed and inspired when you picked yourself up and crawled and slid to the finish line,'' Locke said. He said maybe the legislators - struggling Thursday to get their business done and adjourn on time at midnight - could follow Ohno's example and slide, however painfully, across the finish line. Ohno said he would give legislators the same advice he'd give anyone struggling to achieve a difficult goal: ``Just do your best. There's nothing else you could really ask for. Just come prepared and give it what you can.'' AP-NY-03-14-02
Okay, you heard it here first! US Speedskating has announced that ABC has listened to reason and is going to broadcast the World Short Track championships on April 13 at 5PM! This will really be a week or two late (I believe) as the World ST championships take place in early April -- but better than nothing. Woo hoo!
posted by todd stuart |
2:20 PM
Sunday, March 10, 2002
This fan art just in from Christine who says:
I draw a lot of Apolo fanart... hehe. The pic I sent to you is not one of my best, but I coloured it and everything and I just thought you would like it. :) Of course, he is a lot more 'chunky' in real life. I have a horrible time with correct anatomy. Just the cartoon artist in me I guess. :)
Well, I think it's terrific, Christine! I can't draw AT ALL, so I appreciate those of you who can! I think this pic is adorable!!
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