CONGRATULATIONS, APOLO! He won the 1500m event today at Can Am in Montreal.

Help OHNOZONE.NET stay up and running!

We've done it again...used up all of our alotted transfer space and WE NEED YOUR HELP! In the past 8 months, we've seen amazing growth - faster and bigger than we'd EVER imagined!! Since we're not a corporate website, we have no revenue coming in to support our ever-growing web community. If you have the means, I ask you for as much financial support as you can comfortably give. We are suggesting a basic $15 donation to help us keep this memory/space-eating monster up and running. If you can do more, fabulous! If you can't do $15 and would like to do less, that's okay, too! Help us out, if you can! As always...much love and appreciation! Click below! Or, please feel free to submit a check or money order to:

Todd Stuart
1501 Euclid Avenue #200
Cleveland, OH 44115 USA

Here is another Day 1 Can Am report from Mylène
Merci beaucoup a nos voisines du nord, Mylène et Penelope!

Warning: I'm not good in english but I hope you can understand my story. Friday october 25th, i was in montreal to watch speed skaters...and Apolo! I though i would only see him on the ice, but no. During the 4 hours i was there, he was around us. A few meters behind, a few meters beside... The first time i saw him, he was like 3 seats behind me but i was to shy to go see him...then he starts running. I though i had lost my chance to meet him, but he came back a few minutes later. He was doing flexible things with his legs i dont know the word in english, in french, it's étirements (stretches - Ed.)...and i ask him for a picture. He said: Sure! Then i put my hand on his waist (he did the same) and a friend took the picture. Then i said: thank you very much and with his so-soft-charming voice he replyed :You're welcome. I still cannot believe i was in his arms. While i was there, tons of people probably dreamed to be there...but i was the one who got that chance. Later, he put his skates on his feet just below us. We could see how he do it...then he started training on the ice. He's pretty good to put his suit without showing his stomack (he kept his shirt) Then he run, then he skate for real (it was just classification that day). He was the first one to skate (cuz he's the best) with a guy from Quebec... I was so impress to see how fast he can skate...Of course, he did the best time of all. After that, he started running again and he did an interview (pour Radio-Canada, avis aux intérésés) and he was doing other flexible things with his legs, then he just sat down... All that time, i could always look at him. At 6 pm, my friend and i left the arena. We were walking outside to go to the car and 2 guys were running behind us then passed us. Guess who it was??? Apolo! I point something to my friend with my finger at the same time he passes us (and i was speaking in french...) He looked at me, probably thinking i was talking to him. I couldn't have imagine to see him as much. So, that was my perfect afternoon. I was with apolo during almost 4 hours. He's exactly like on TV. Long hair... he's perfect! OMG!!!! I still cannot believe it. Unfortunately, i could not be there today (neither tomorrow) so i hope Peneloppe will tell us more...

Funny facts:
-I heard a few times that Apolo didnt smell like anything...well, it is true.
-He is always running, i understand why he is in a good shape
-I liked being so close to him, he is...comfortable (?)
Hope you could understand what i wrote...
Peneloppe, j'espère te voir à Chicoutimi

Here it is: Penelope's next installment

DAY #2 : Can Am, Montréal

Today was way more fun. There were a lot more people and teenage girls cheering for our baby. The races started early at 9h10 and finished at 17h30. My ass is officialy NUMB. It was awesome seeing him race LIVE, working his bootylicious ass off. He wore his grey and red skinsuit. Good lord! You could see all the curves. Hmmmmm.. With his grey bandana and his hair loose, he looked FINE. Before the races he was jogging with a baggy grey USA olympic shirt. He's always matching his colours: our baby knows how to work his stuff! At one point he signed an autograph for a girl in the stands but she was really far and he kept jumping up and down to give her back the paper. It was sooo cute. On top of that, I got it on tape! Youpi! He was often in the stands, which was really nice to see him close. As for the races, he won the final for the men's 1500m in the #1 category (the toughest). He also finished first in the 1000m #1 category semi-final. However, this day was not so good for a canadian who fell, got deep cuts and left with paramedics and an american (name??) who got heavely knocked after a fall and left in an ambulance. Very sad. Because of these unexpected delays, the 500m final was pushed to tommorow. So, only 2 races today.

On a much brighter note: I got to meet Shani, JP and other cute skaters (forgot there names..) and our one and only soft lucious hair, silk skin and japanese-american APOLO!!!!!!! WOOHOO!! I waited after all the races were over (when he was relaxed) and met him outside the boys locker room! I felt like a 12 year old asking him "I dont want to bother you too much but could I get a picture?", he then said "sure!" in that Barry White sensual voice of his...Miam. He then proceded to put his arm around my waist which was AAAAAWESOME. My camera was a little numb so I had his arm around me for 20 seconds before it worked. How lucky was I? After that I said " thank you and good luck for tomorrow" and he replied "Thanx!". I will have a very hard time getting to sleep tonight. Sweet dreams...

Here's an interesting AAO reference in today's Washington Post. It's an article about the National Design Museum and its new director who "has added something new to the collection: glamour." Guess who exhibit A for glamour is?
Reinventing the Cooper-Hewitt

Hey everyone! Penelope has sent in a summary of her day at the Can Am competition in Montreal!

BY THE WAY: While reading this please remember that english is my SECOND language....

This day was awesome! Seeing speed skating for the second time was much much fun. Actually, Montréal held last april a world cup and I went. I was lucky enough to meet Fabio Carta (grrrrr..)and Shani Davis. He asked me if I was enjoying myself, how I was doing, etc. Just like I was an old friend! Really sweet.

Anyway, today's event (actually the audience) was a little disappointing because not many people came. There has been no publicity about the event whatsoever. I actually learned there was even a race on the internet. I think the people that did come were mainly friends and family of the skaters. Too bad.

The girls were first to skate at 13h50 and the boys at 16h10. About half way threw this I get star struck! OMG! OMG! OMG! I notice a major babe with dark silk skin. I stare a little more...IT'S APOLO!! The 3D version is awesome!! I got instant butterflies in my stomach cause I couldnt believe he was here, HERE! When I first got a glimpse of him he was jogging around the rink with Shani and another guy(??). He had black baggy jogging pants on and a grey t-shirt with some writing or logo on it. I think it was a basketball shirt but I did not read or notice what it said cause I was too busy staring at his gorgeous face among other things... He was also wearing his usual blue bandana and his hair was loose, LOOSE I tell ya! It was flowing in the air like a gentle breeze in the summer. Hmmmmmm... Oh! And I have to mention that Shani was very cute. He had a little mustache and a POKEMON t-shirt! Ah! Ah! I thought it was worth mentionning. Back to Apolo: he also had a gold necklace but I dont know if it had a key attached to it since most of it was in his shirt. He was soooooooo cute and sweet!! At one point he was playing in Shani's hair (like "I want to get on your nerves"). It was really funny and cute! For competing, he wore his blue and red skinsuit and Shani wore his grey one. Apolo skated once like everyone and it was great! He shined like a star. There were around 135 skaters and the whole thing lasted from 13h50 to 18h30. I cant feel my ass anymore! Today, it was only 777m pursuit so no win or lost. It was only to rank the skaters (at least from what i understood).

I was able to get some good footage but if anyone knows how to put it on the internet and you see it, please bear with me.......I couldnt keep my angles straight (a little nervous maybe?). Since he was always jogging or talking with his friends, I did not want to bother him or disrupt(??) his mental preparation for the race. I'm sure he likes his privacy and I respect that. Maybe tomorrow I'll get a pic with him! Still, at one point he saw me filming him and he flashed a big smile and a wave. What a sweetie!!

Speedskating championships coming to Cleveland Heights
via Cleveland Plain Dealer

Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and dozens of other top U.S. short-track speedskaters are expected in Cleveland in two years to compete for a national championship.

There's nothing like planning ahead! (Todd, are you in?)

Here are the rest of Corin's photos from Denver

Thank you Addi for this one, via Speedskating Canada!

Ohno and Robillard to headline Can-Am Montreal

GO APOLO!!!!!!

Note: We have evidently exceeded our transfer limit for October. Not sure what this means, but till Todd and I figure it out, I'm removing the link for the video. Sorry guys!

Rite Aid Redux: A Multipart Video Series

Interview 1, Clip 1: It's a Scream

Credits
Cinematographer: Jennie
Post-production: Sonia
For benefit of: In Apolo's Name
There is just one month to go, and we're approaching the $5k mark. Now is a great time to donate! You can make a difference.

Many thanks to Corin of worldshorttrack.com for reporting for us on Apolo's appearance in Denver. His photos and report follow.

Story 1: The Message
So I'm sitting in my car, taking inventory. Apolo's book, check, digital camera, check, regular camera, check, business cards, check, tape recorder...nope. One of the reasons I was there required the tape recorder and I had forgotten. Forty minutes later, I'm entering the Sprint Store. The Alice radio station booth is out front. They were one of the promoters.

No one is in line when I get there, so I just go right up with my book. As he's signing the book, I pull out a photo of Christine, who's been helping out with World Short Track. Actually, she's been helping out alot of people and doesn't really get the recognition. I only had thought of doing this the night before. Apolo looks at the photo of him and Christine at a signing at Chicago. I tell him that she's been helping out with our site and others and that the fan community out there is lucky to have her. I ask him to leave a message to her on the tape recorder.

He was a little embarrassed and wasn't sure what to say. You can tell on the message and the giggle at the end says he's still a bit baffled by these unusual requests. The message has been converted to MP3 and sent as a gift over to someone whose help I appreciate immensely. She can do with it as she likes. It's hers. Thanks Christine.

Story 2: Giddeon
Not a lot of people showed up. I'm not sure if there's lack of a fan base in Denver or if the promotion didn't reach the intended audience. Anyway, that left Apolo with stretches of time -- periods of 5 to 10 minutes with no one around. I chatted with him briefly at first, but then just took photos. Lots of photos. And of course, I observed.

Apolo always has a friend at his signings and since Janey, his manager who lives in Denver, couldn't make it, he brought his friend Giddeon. Giddeon is a cyclist training at the Olympic center. During one of those empty periods, Apolo did two things that I thought were kind of cool. First, Apolo showed Giddeon how to use his spiffy new phone (which rang several times during the 2 hours he was there, and he never answered). Second, he and Giddeon were discussing with one of the Sprint workers about the merits of taking a fall in a pack of cyclists going at 30mph vs. taking a fall in a pack of skaters going at the same speed. The minus for skating -- sharp edges. The minus for cycling -- asphalt.

Apolo and Giddeon Massie

Story 3: The Adorable Little Girl
Actually, he took pictures with several adorable girls, little or otherwise. They were all so excited to see him. One group of 3 girls actually came into the store, stared at him for 5, then walked back outside before coming in and talking to him.



The girl in the pink sweater is an ice skater who just won a competition last week against 10 and 11 year olds. Her father has started doing speedskating with her. The picture I took was the one where her father was snapping a photo of her. Right after this photo, her father hands her this expensive SLR camera that's bigger than her hands. She snaps a photo of him and I was going to snap a photo of her but my camera was being slow.

The Sprint Store was giving away two things. Free Polaroids with Apolo. The Sprint marketing person for this event was taking the photos. The second was tickets to win his book. They drew for winners every 30 minutes. Although she already had one, the little girl won another copy of his biography.

Some more of Corin's photos...

Here's the first Denver report, up on Joanna's site, with a great photo as well. Check it out!

Not only is that a gorgeous photo below...but all of you OZoners are gorgeous too! I have to say how this community warms the cockles of my little heart! It's so good to see all of you together, enjoying yourselves (and obviously, Apolo). As always, thanks for representin' !!!!! Mwah! Big Kiss!!!


-Todd

Some of Lucinda's pictures - including the much-hyped, long-awaited OZ group photo!

Noelle, Apolo, Lucinda, Angela, Melinda, Terry

Lucinda and Apolo

Lucinda meets Apolo

Here are Melinda's Farm Fresh photos. Her report is below (sorry, I goofed up the posting order - the report should be first).

Here is Melinda's Hampton report!

Melinda and Apolo


Travel Plans:
I wasn’t going to go. Things were not working out. My United friend hadn’t returned any of my calls, I couldn’t seem to reserve a hotel room (completely booked – for Farm Fresh?), nothing was working out except the fact that I had Monday off. Accepting the inevitable, after all I did just spend considerable time with Apolo in Colorado Springs three weeks earlier, I frantically FedExed presents and a picture I wanted Apolo to sign to the lovely Noelle, who came to my rescue, for her delivery to him on Sunday. Although I was disappointed because not only was I not going to see Apolo but I was so looking forward to meeting Noelle, webmistress extraordinaire, I know that all things happen for a reason (as I found out later just how true that statement really is).

Suddenly on Friday things fell into place. My United friend called, “no problem” he said, “when do you want to fly?” Tomorrow? I ventured. “Done deal” was his response. My travel agent friend worked miracles and got me a room at his rate, for 2 nights. So bright and early (5:30am) on Saturday I was off. Flying standby, I kept my fingers crossed, jumped in and started my adventure.

Chicago Snag:
I made it to Chicago fine. Out of Chicago was a different story. My original flight – booked solid. They transferred my name to the standby list for the 6:10 flight. I called Noelle to let her know that I was probably not going to make dinner with the “DelMarVa” girls. Called my friend Melissa in SD to let her know I was still in Chicago. No worries I thought, this is an adventure! I was going to see Apolo again! He was going to be so surprised! Noelle and I were just talking the night before on what his reaction would be when he saw me. I was already walking through the terminal with a grin on my face and humming to myself. People were slowly backing away from me.

Hassle In Hampton:
I made it to Norfolk. After calling Noelle and letting her know I landed safely I hopped on a shuttle and finally, 16 hours later, made it to my hotel with visions of joining Noelle and the gang for a late dinner. But alas, that was not to happen. I found out that there was a glitch and my room had been cancelled because of it. It seems Farm Fresh weekend is also at the same time as Hampton University’s Homecoming weekend. No rooms available – anywhere – for Saturday. I call Noelle and, trying not to panic and remembering I’m on an adventure, explain my situation to her. Noelle comes to my rescue and reassures me that all is well, I could stay with her and Terry. I am eternally grateful to both Noelle and Terry because of that. But there is one small problem, they were just served their dinner and didn’t know how long they’d be. I told Noelle not to worry. I could see a McDonald’s from the hotel, it was on the same side of the street and looked close. Not my first choice but it’ll have to do. I told Noelle to call me when they were done and I’d let them know where I was. We hung up, I re-reserved my room for Sunday and headed off for McDonald’s.

Philosophy, Fate and St. Ronald:
Who knows why certain things happen to you and why. Was there a reason why I couldn’t get my original flight out of Chicago? Because if I had, I’d be having dinner with the DelMarVa girls instead of trying to determine the lesser-food evil at McDonald’s. Why did fate intervene once again and cancel my room reservation? Even if I didn’t make my flight I could at least be eating in the comfort of my hotel room instead of in a fast food chain in a strange city. As it turns out, there WERE reasons and I was to find out in less than an hour why.

So now it’s after 10pm. I sit and nibble on my food, watching a special about serial killers on MSNBC (not very reassuring I might add), and I remember that I haven’t called Melissa. She’s probably worried wondering if I’ve even made it to Norfolk/Hampton. While I’m dialing her number I’m idling watching a guy and a girl stroll across the parking lot. “Gee” I say to myself, “that guy looks vaguely familiar to me.” Now, I’ve never been on the east coast before so I figure he must look like someone I know in San Diego. Everyone has a twin somewhere right? As the guy and girl get closer I think to myself “you know, he kind of look likes Apolo.” My cell phone still ringing, I watch them some more, paying attention to the guy’s walk, demeanor and hair and just as Melissa answers her phone I say to myself “OMG – That IS Apolo!”

I tell Melissa to hold on, run to the door, stick my head out and call his name. He stops, looks right at me, hesitates for a fraction of second, then recognizes me. I’m greeted with a surprised and astonished “you’re here!” a smile and a hug. He introduces me to Jennifer and I realize that I still have Melissa on the phone. I tell her that I just ran into Apolo and I’ll call her right back. She’s thrilled for me. Apolo, Jennifer and I talk for a few minutes. He asks if I’m there for his appearance tomorrow and I reply “of course.” He and Jennifer are on their way back to their hotel from dinner. They both look exhausted. I realize that I’m keeping them from their sleep so we say our “goodbyes,” “nice to meet you,” and “see you tomorrow” and go our separate ways. I still can’t believe that I just literally ran into Apolo. Everything that’s happened to me all day has suddenly made sense. For whatever reason, fate wanted me to run into him on Saturday, before Farm Fresh. Every travel hassle and nightmare I went through all weekend was worth it for those five minutes on Saturday night.

DelMarVa Rescue:
Ten minutes after I’ve said goodnight to Apolo, my phone rings. It’s Noelle. I tell her to pick me up at the McDonald’s and to hurry, I have news for her but I want to tell everyone at once. She’s impatient but agrees. I see Noelle pull in the parking lot, and as I walk outside I’m greeted with a hug from her. After getting into the car and a round of introductions I share my news – “I just ran into Apolo!” I announce. They are all amazed and happy for me. I can’t believe it myself. Things like this never happen to me. I’m usually the one left standing in the cold.

Apolo Time:
We awake on Sunday, somewhat refreshed, although I’m a little “jet lagged.” We check out and head over to the Coliseum to await the “golden boy.” There is initial confusion as to the time he’s going to be there – 12-3 or 1-4? Everyone has told Noelle a different story. When we arrive at 11 we notice on the sign that it says 12-3. Good thing we’re there early. We stand and wait. There are approximately 6 or so people in front of us. There’s some more confusion about what’s going to happen. We’re told only 2 items total but they think we can go in line again. One person said we can stand behind the table to have our picture taken with Apolo, another person said we couldn’t. They finally told us what they said Apolo wanted: no standing behind with him, 2 personal items and the b&w photo or a Polaroid and we can get in line as many times as time will allow.

Then suddenly he was there, walking up to the stage, wearing his Conan sweater, grey pants and black dress shoes. His hair is down. I’ve never seen him up close with his hair down. He had corn rows when I saw him in Colorado Springs. It looks incredibly soft. Such a girlie thing to think of.

Suddenly it’s my turn. No nerves, after all I did just see him, although my mind was affected by the infamous “ohno force field.” I thought that maybe I was immune to it, but no such luck. He smiled when he saw me, asked how my night was and I started to hand him the b&w picture but the woman on the stage tells me only two things not three (I’ve purchased a Polaroid). I tell Apolo not to sign the photo, that I really wanted him to sign the one I brought (the Deseret News picture). He laughs as he unrolls it and wants to know where I got it. He signs it and I walk offstage in a daze. For goodness sakes I’m 38 years old, not 12!! I didn’t react like this in Colorado Springs! I look down and realize I totally forgot to give him my gift. I stand in front, take some pictures of the other OZ women with their encounters then get back in line (to give him the gift).

The second time was even better. When I got up there again, he looked at me, gave me another smile and said “you’re back!” I laugh and tell him that I forgot to give him his gift. As always, he looks surprised that anyone would take the time to remember him. It’s wrapped because I originally shipped it to Noelle. I tell him what it is (pictures of Colorado Springs) and he graciously thanks me, signs and personalizes my black & white photo. I ask him how he’s holding up and he replies he’s tired but hanging in there. He gives me a hug and then I walk off stage again. My weekend is now complete.

The Ohno Zone Picture and Departure:
Jennifer has informed Noelle that she can get the group photo but it’ll be very quick and on their way out. Suddenly it happens. I’m there, next to Apolo. Noelle’s on his other side and Lucinda is behind Apolo and I. Jennifer grabs my camera but in my haste I forget to take it off telephoto, so alas, no group shot from my camera. They then escort him off. We try to follow but they won’t let us. The volunteers seem somewhat agitated by all the fuss he’s created and all the women/girls trying to follow. Apolo is, like always, calm and cool. They finally make an announcement that “Apolo Anton Ohno has left the building.” Wow, just like Elvis!

Part of the group picture captured on Melinda's camera


The Aftermath:
My Virginia weekend was, needless to say, a BLAST! While short and sweet it meant almost as much to me as my Colorado Springs trip did. Meeting Noelle and the gang, running into Apolo early, then getting to see him twice on Sunday are experiences I’ll never forget. I am amazed that I have friends, friends that I would have never even have known, if it wasn’t for this wonderful man, and for that I thank him from the bottom of my heart.