Just before the closing ceremonies in SLC

Derek Parra, AAO and a roadie from a band called CAKE

This is a wonderful account of Apolo, short track and the 1000m final at the Salt Lake Games, from the web site of the Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club:

... Our next event of the day, the one we had been looking forward to the most, short-track speedskating. That was to be contested at the Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz, inside the Olympic Plaza downtown. We were going to see the Women’s 5000 m relay, Women’s 500 m and men’s 1000 m. The skater we were MOST interested in watching was Apolo Anton Ohno. We arrived a bit late for the women’s relay, but the competition for the night was still incredible! There were several heats of men’s and women’s racing, with ice resurfacing between heats.

Ohno was without question the most impressive skater out there. He could position himself anywhere he wanted in the races, he could do anything he wanted, anytime he wanted. Each race had a maximum of six skaters, usually five. If there was a crash or disqualification in a heat race, a skater compromised by the mishap could be advanced to the next round at judge’s discretion. The races were like little miniature criteriums, on a 111-m oval. Think for a moment how TIGHT that is! And these skaters were averaging 30+ mph! Not even the fastest cyclists in the world could go that fast on such a tight, non-banked oval. I have NO idea how they could hold such tight turns, but Ohno could hold them tighter than anyone.

On the fastest laps the skaters put a hand down on the ice inside the cones of the turns, for balance and stability. Ohno would not put a hand down until the speeds were one or two mph faster than the other skaters required. He was just so stable and sure-footed. He would set up his passes more deftly than anyone else would, and he could pass a single skater or the entire PACK of skaters in a single brisk move on the straightaway. Stroke stroke stroke and he was by them. And then his excessive speed would NOT carry him wide, to allow them to pass him back.

On the final lap of the finals there was a crash, as a racer interfered with another and a skater went down, then two, then three, speedy dominoes. Ohno was leading comfortably, en route to an indisputable victory. But, the Korean skater behind Ohno saw that Ohno was going to be the only skater among the leaders to get through without falling, so he threw his arms around Ohno’s legs, to be sure that he fell, too. The only skater in the Finals who was completely dropped from the pack, the Australian, glided across the line for gold. Ohno hit the boards, seriously gashing his inner thigh with his skate blade, then scrambled up more quickly than anyone to cross the line for silver. One skater was disqualified, but it was not the Korean who grabbed Ohno. I never understood that.

Later in the Olympics Ohno did win gold in the 1500 meters after an official decided he was impeded from passing on the final lap by a Korean. We did not see that race, but it seemed that he won silver in the race which should have been his, and gold in the race which he perhaps should not have. Still, he was philosophical about his race, the consummate sportsman. He did not make the finals in the 500, I believe due to the consequences of the blade injury. He did not have the “snap” in accelerating which we saw when he raced for us.

It was a special treat to be able to see such a compelling athlete compete at his best. I hope that young man maintains his focus so that he can remain at the top of his exciting sport for years to come! His picture was on the cover of the daily program Sports Illustrated put out each day, with the previous day’s results and the current day’s events and venues. Ohno is sitting second in the picture as three skaters go through a turn. His eyes are looking further into the turn, mouth scarcely open, totally relaxed, comfortable, focused, confident power in reserve. It was a stunning picture, which told volumes about this talented athlete.

Melinda very kindly made a transcript for those who couldn't hear Steve Gough's interview on Oval Audio. Here is the link: Gough Transcript

Many thanks to EJ, who had the following two articles scanned and sent to us to post on Ohno Zone.

This is from the December 2002 issue of Outside Magazine, where Apolo is part of a feature about 25 hot athletes under 25.

Profile of Apolo from the February 2002 issue of Outside Magazine

More of the Farm Fresh bumper crop... these from Terry

Calling all artists! Here's an announcement from Theresa:

"Hey Apolo fans! Do you have awesome computer graphic skills? Are you one with Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop? Then come along and join the relay team of Apolo's Brush, a graphic site. If you have any questions feel free to email me or send a sample graphic at apolostarr@hotmail.com. Have a spiffy day!"

Here's an announcement from Monica about her next chat:

"Hi! I just wanted to let everybody know I'm hosting another Apolo chat room on Thursday, Nov. 21st @ 10:30PM EST...on MSN. So if you were at the last one...it's the same thing as far as how to get there.. Look for the room called Apolo's Chat. I hope this is gives everybody enough time...to make it this time. You know who you are! LOL! Later, Monica"

"If someone thinks [Apolo] has been laying around and getting fat, that's definitely not the case!"
-- Stephen Gough, US Short Track coach

This is a really interesting interview available at www.ovalaudio.com. (Thanks to Rob at SNS for the heads up!)

DETROIT VIDEO CLIP #3: SUPERGLUE

Part of a continuing series brought to you by Sonia and Jennie

The file has been removed now. If you missed it, e-mail me and I will be happy to send it to you.

Makiko is back home from her travels and has sent in some photos from Hampton!

IN APOLO'S NAME UPDATE

Straight from IAN's Newsroom: One of I.A.N.’s enthusiastic and proactive supporters, Abigail, is auctioning off two autographed Apolo books: A Journey, the Autobiography of Apolo Anton Ohno and All About Apolo. Both books were autographed by Apolo in Colorado Springs at the United States Olympic Complex specifically to benefit the I.A.N. project. The books are being auctioned off separately rather than as a pair.

You can find the auction on eBay for A Journey here.

You can find the auction on eBay for All About Apolo here.

Auction Specifics: The winning bidder will send a check in the amount bid directly to RMHC in Apolo’s name, as usual. When the winner gets his or her receipt from the RMHC, send that receipt showing the amount donated to I.A.N. Then Abigail will be alerted to send the winner the autographed book the bidder won. The winner will work with Abigail on the best shipping arrangements.

Announcement: Tickets on sale now for DOW US Championships and 2003 World Team Trials in Bay City, MI, February 28 - March 2, 2003

See Bay County Speedskating for details.

UPDATE: Download a ticket order form in PDF from US Speedskating.
· Schedule of events now available online

This series of photos is from the Feb. 2001 World Cup in Graz, Austria. It was at this meet that Apolo won the overall World Cup title for the season.
Details of his accomplishments at USSpeedskating.org.


photos courtesy Steirischer Eislaufverband and Robert Lukas

Apologies to the Rustinator.