Hey all, Molly was good enough to email me from the floor of the eBay convention where she's been visting with Apolo. It looks like Abigail also checked in with a report in the thread below this one. I'm taking liberties here -- hope you don't mind, Molly, but I'm way too excited to keep this to myself! Here's Molly's message:
Hey Noelle! Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know what a fun time we're having with Apolo! Already met 3 OZ'ers and Apolo is SO sweet! Will send you my account later, but here at the Ebay thing, there's computers everywhere so I'm checkin in! LOL Talk to you later!! MOLLY
posted by noelle . |
6:22 PM
Friday, June 21, 2002
Everyone, check this link. The article is nothing new, but in their poll, our Apolo is not faring too well in the voting. Let's see if we can't turn that around! I believe in the power of OZ!
Reposting the info on Apolo's appearance at eBay Live
See Gold Medal Winner Apolo Anton Ohno at eBay Live! If you need another reason to attend this exciting eBay inaugural event, Visa and eBay Payments are thrilled to present 2002 Olympic Winter Games Gold Medal Winner (and one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"), Apolo Anton Ohno at our booth! Apolo will help us kick off our next big Visa promotion, which includes another trip to the Olympic Games! Come by eBay Payments booth #108 on Saturday 1 - 5 pm for a picture with Apolo! Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802 Register today!
A few of you have asked what happened to the TON of stuff we posted yesterday and the day before. It's in the archives. There is a glitch right now with one of the archive URLs, so if you are looking for any of the SI pics or other recent material, click here: June 16-20 archives
From Joanna, a smart set of quotes, nicely organized!
I think we've all seen these quotes in articles/interviews, etc., but I think it's nice to have them all together. These are from after the 1000m:
Apolo Anton Ohno, United States Olympic silver medallist, 1,000-meters
On the end of the race: “As far as the race I thought that my performance was one of the best performances of my life. Definitely, it was unfortunate, you know, that I got taken out in the last corner, but that is short track. This is the sport that I live for. I got off the ice and I was definitely very happy with the performance, regardless of what medal I would have had.”
On what happened in the final turn: “I have no idea. I still have to look at the tape. Just real close … I could feel it in my fingers, you know … the win … and then the next thing you know I was in the boards.
“I was in a daze. I had no idea what was going on; it happened so quick. The first thing I thought was just get back up and finish. As you could see, I just threw my body across the line. I just wanted to finish. I had no idea who was behind me or who had fell down, so, you know, it was just mass confusion. I don’t even know who fell into me. I have to look at the tape.”
On the idea of a reskate: “I had no idea there was any question of a reskate. It would have been nice, but with my injury, I think silver was the best I could ask for. I probably would have been getting stitches by the time that the race would have start.”
On his injury: “I only had six stitches, so I’m okay as far as that goes. (They were) on my left leg, the inner thigh on my left leg. I should be good by Wednesday (Feb. 20), hopefully. It was from the crash. I haven’t seen it on tape, so I don’t really know how I got cut.”
On not being able to win four golds: “My quest, my journey, is not about winning four golds. It’s about coming to the Olympics … and performing my best, regardless of medal outcome. I’m just lucky enough the injury wasn’t more severe. I just have to keep pushing and looking forward and hopefully I’ll be healthier for the next event.”
From Charlie Snyder, of the U.S. Olympic Committee
The Ohno Experience Bid now to win a once-in-a-lifetime VIP Fantasy Experience with 2002 Olympic gold and silver medalist, Apolo Anton Ohno. Skate with Apolo. Dine with Apolo. Talk with Apolo. The auction, which benefits the USOC F.L.A.M.E. Program (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere), is now open at http://www.usolympicteam.com/ebay.
From babes - exciting news for you Left Coast folks!
See Gold Medal Winner Apolo Anton Ohno at eBay Live! If you need another reason to attend this exciting eBay inaugural event, Visa and eBay Payments are thrilled to present 2002 Olympic Winter Games Gold Medal Winner (and one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"), Apolo Anton Ohno at our booth! Apolo will help us kick off our next big Visa promotion, which includes another trip to the Olympic Games! Come by eBay Payments booth #108 on Saturday 1 - 5 pm for a picture with Apolo! Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802 Register today!
Thanks Terry (aka speedmaiden), for this great news for DC-area folks:
Shani Davis will be in DC on 29 Jun We have invited Shani Davis for an Open House for DC Ice, a new speedskating club for inner city DC youth. He will be at the Ft Dupont Ice Arena from 430-600pm on 29 Jun. Three-time Olympian long-tracker Nathaniel Mills, Shani's former coach and current coach of DC Ice, will also be there. The ice rink is located at 3779 Ely Place SE. For more info, please contact Gwen Bryant on (202) 610-2098 or at DC_ICE@msn.com.
Jena is on top of things, as usual! Here's an article from today's Seattle Times
Internet voters all aglow over Ohno
Ohno? Oh, yes! Apolo Anton Ohno was a resounding No. 1 among online voters in a Sports Illustrated for Women survey, which sought nominations for the magazine's "Sexiest Men in Sports" feature. With a thong in their hearts, 15,347 pledged their keyboards to the Seattle speedskater, ensuring him a place with 74 other athletes in the magazine's third annual swimsuit issue. After Apolo skated laps around the field, figure skater Alexei Yagudin (2,308) picked up the online silver and Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (756) the bronze. Not many of Ohno's 15,000 votes, we assume, came from South Korea, although 738 votes were from elderly Florida women who swore they really meant to vote for Pat Buchanan.
posted by noelle . |
9:18 AM
Monday, June 17, 2002
Here's is Molly's SportsFest story. OMG - just read, y'all!
Just got home from a fun filled weekend in Chicago and read all the other cool stories from Sportsfest, so here’s my two cents: Me, Beata, Terri and Sarah got to Sportsfest around 11:45 in the morning. (Kinda late, but Beata had me partying till 4:30 that morning!! BTW, girl, you gotta take me to the ‘Hunt Club’ so we can see ‘Apolo’ again!!! LOL) We bought our tickets and just hung out till 1 when Apolo came out. I had ticket #274, but traded with this cool guy who had #43. One o’clock finally rolled around and Apolo came, surprisingly everyone was calm. Not like Oakbrook Mall from what I’ve heard. He looked fabulous as usual…wet slicked-back hair, glowing perfect skin, tanned complexion, beautiful smile…*sigh* oh, oops, back to the story…. There were a lot of other fans there and it was a trip that some of you guys knew who I was! That was crazy. There was a really nice gal from Jersey, who came with her way cool pops and she even got a hug from Apolo! You GO Becky!! I met Susan and Lyn from OZ and didn’t even know it! I met Latisha, Christine, and Aisha and her 2 friends. (I hope I got your name right, girl!) We were just all so excited to see Apolo. And to that one kid who looked very much like Apolo (he was SO cute)…your pics are on the way, homey!! So it was my turn to get in line and this is the craziest part…I’m next to see Apolo and before I even said anything to him, he looked at me and said, ‘Hey, I remember you from the Scorpion King thing!’ (I’m speechless at this point). Mr. Ohno then says to me, ‘Yeah, aren’t you….Molly from that Internet picture?’ Holy short track!! I about fell over at that point because not only does Apolo remember me, but Mr. Ohno knows who I am too! I say, ‘Yep, that’s me! Nice to meet you Mr. Ohno!’ I shook his hand and Apolo had already started signing my picture I bought from the Scorpion King of him and I. Mr. Ohno asked me if I came from California and I said ‘Yes!’, then Sportsfest girl beside Apolo says to me, ‘You came all the way here for this?’ (Molly remains calm at this comment from Sportsfest girl). I smile and say, ‘Uh, yeah, of course! Apolo’s my boy, for real!’ Apolo laughs and Mr. Ohno says ‘It’s nice to see you again and then Apolo says the same. I say, ‘Yeah, it’s nice to see you again, Apolo’. We shake hands, (no booty feeling this time…he he he) take a picture, and Sarah (you big dork!) just says ‘Hey, I’m Sarah’ and waves while taking our picture. I’m thinking…wow…that is crazy…Apolo AND his pops remember me! So then it’s Beata’s turn (she had #273) and I go with her only to take the pictures. Beata says hello to Apolo, he says Hi back, and while he’s signing her SI Cover, she says to Mr. Ohno, ‘Hey, since Apolo’s busy with dinner tonight, do you have any plans?’ We all busted out laughing and Mr. Ohno says ‘I’m going home tonight!’. Apolo looks at me, still laughing, and I say to him jokingly, ‘Apolo, I’m just here to take the pictures….and to get your cell phone number!!’. He busts out laughing again. (And no, he didn’t give me the #…lol). He must think I’m a total freak by now. But honestly, this whole trip was not just for Apolo. My non-Apolo friends and family think I’m crazy for going, but for me, it was a chance to meet some of the people I’ve befriended because of Apolo. I had such a great time aside from the whole Sportsfest thing. Chicago is a happenin’ town! Meeting everyone was SO worth the trip. Now, thanks to Beata, I’ve gotta go and try to recover from the 10 or so hours of sleep I’ve gotten in the past 3 days!!! But, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I was VERY lucky to have met Apolo once before and I will never forget that experience. That was by far, the best! For that, Apolo, I thank you!! Apolo is the common bond that brings us all together and I think that’s very special. Apolo, you and your pops are the BEST! Molly
posted by noelle . |
8:57 AM
Sunday, June 16, 2002
Just a quick hello from East Nowhere...thanks for keeping the OZ so darned interesting in my (relative) absence! I can't wait to catch up and read everyone's SportsFest stories! You guys Rawk!! I'll check y'all later...much love!!! -Todd
Wow - they just keep rolling in! SF according to Lisa
Apolo is so hot in person! OK, here's my story. I got to the Sports Fest at 9:45-right before they let all non-VIP members in. Me and my friend Christine bought our pics of Apolo (I bought 2-the one with him wearing the gray sweater and his 2 medals and the one with his tongue hanging out-hehe!) Then we grabbed some nachos. We bought our tickets kinda late, I guess and we were numbers 279 and 280. Any who...the guy who was calling the numbers was only on number 220 and it was 2:30 PM. He asked my friend what number she was then he announced numbers 270 through 280 can see Apolo. What a cool dude! Me and my friend were freakin out. She was shaking like crazy and my hands became like ice. So...after my friend went (she gave him the poem I wrote-hehe!), I did. I handed Apolo my 2 pics. He asked me my name I said Lisa. Then he asked who the other pic was for and I said Lisa. He said Lisa? With a smile and a little laugh. Like I would give away any pics/autographs I had of him, duh! I looked him straight in the eyes, too! Very nice! I asked for a pic with him, me, and Yuki (gotta love Yuki!!), they said sure. My friend went to take the pic of us and all of a sudden said your camera doesn't work! I was gonna die! But then I figured out that she just didn't hold the clicky-button-thing down long enough. So I got my pic with Apolo and Yuki and was the happiest little girl ever! I also got to meet Molly, Christine, and a bunch of Apolo fans. The stupid guy who was taking the tickets by Apolo was in everyone's way and I'm short so I couldn't see Apolo from the side, but I'll donate my pics when I get them developed.
WOW, did we have an absolute BLAST! I left home at 5am (I am from Cleveland) and got there at about 11, waited outside for Jen (from Chicago) and then she and I walked around for awhile, bought some Apolo pictures, acted like big dorks, lol. We went to stand by the autograph table at about 12 or so, started talking to a bunch of people... it was funny. They were all so cool. Apolo came out right on time... 1pm. He had on a white shirt (looked like a Polo one) and black jean shorts. He looked kinda like he didn't know what to do at first, lol. We were given numbers in line, I was 143 and Jen was 264 (?) so we couldn't stand together. We had to wait until a certain range of numbers was called so I didn't go in line for about an hour. We just stood there and took pictures. Yuki came out about 5-10 minutes after Apolo starting signing. He was so adorable! LOL he's like 5 ft. tall. The father/son moment was precious, you know? Yuki would help Apolo by holding like, shirts flat so he could sign them and stuff. By the time I got up there, I was so nervous, haha. Never have I been so nervous. So I walk up, set my picture down, turn to Yuki and tell him I was one of the girls from ohnofansite.org, and he says 'Yeah I knew one of you were coming today! Nice to meet you!' so I introduced myself and shook his hand. He thanked us for being a part of the Birthday Project (that Remy did) and for the Father's Day card. He was so nice, lol. Apolo just sat there smiling the whole time. One of my friends wanted me to give him a letter for him, so I set it down. The best part, haha - I bought Apolo some candy. When I set it down he didn't notice it at first, but right before pictures Yuki pointed to it and Apolo goes "OH MY GOD! Hahaha! Yes!" like it was the greatest thing... it was cute. LOL. I'm glad he enjoyed it. The people I met there were so excited for me that they ALL took pictures of me with Apolo and Yuki. So I have 4 versions of the same picture coming, all from different types of cameras, LOL. So that'll be cool.No one can ever work my camera right, the 3 of us were posing for the last picture and the guy was trying to take it but it wasn't working - so Apolo goes 'Uh oh!' [argh! I love it when he says that! -- Ed.] and the guy was like getting mad because it wouldn't work (all he had to do was press the button, he held it in) and Apolo's like 'Chill out, man.' and laughed about it, lol. Apolo actually knew how to spell my name without asking! Do you know how RARE that is? Like I started spelling it out but by the time I was done he was already done writing my name, LOL. Brownie points, man! What was sweet was he even wiped off my picture before he signed it with his arm, then he blew on it to dry the autograph. LOL. I reached out to shake his hand and he said it was nice to meet me and stuff. LIKEWISE, APOLO! So we sat around for alittle bit and watched him sign for the rest of the hour, everyone was so excited. At the end, Apolo and Yuki posed for pictures and Yuki waved bye to me, lol. They had a raffle for another spot at the charity dinner, and the lady who won wasn't very excited. We were disappointed in her, lol. There was an Apolo look-a-like. He looked like he could be his lil brother, SOOO much like him! They asked Apolo to sign his yearbook, LMAO, because he said he didn't have any money... so Apolo said 'Come around the side!' but security wouldn't let him. They ended up calling back-up because the people were scared that the kid would try to come after Apolo or something. I don't know, lol. We saw some familiar faces, people from boards. Some were from ohnozone.net (Susan and her daughters). Oh... and the security guy gave me one of Apolo's pens. LOL he had about 15 of them but only gave away 4. I got a gold one. All in all... it was worth the 7 hour trip, the exhausting heat, the $40 I spent. Everything was so perfect. :D
Thanks for visiting OHNO ZONE: Web resources for fans of Apolo Anton Ohno with the latest Ohno news, competition info, photos, appearances and more. Most of our photos,
fan encounters and comments are contributed by visitors. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!
- Todd & Noelle
Comments by: YACCS
