Ohno Zone Q & A With Stephen Gough



Last month, U.S. National Short Track Coach Stephen Gough agreed to be interviewed by Ohno Zone, and many of you submitted questions for him. Our thanks go out to Stephen for his time and thoughtful responses. Here are his answers:

Stephen Gough Interview

IN APOLO'S NAME UPDATE, from Velma & Racci:

As you know, because of your generous donations and unyielding support for the In Apolo’s Name project, we (Apolo fans) were able to raise more than $10,000 in Apolo’s name for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington before the end of the campaign on Dec. 31, 2002. In fact, you raised a grand total of $11,037.22. Yep. 22 cents!

Via your efforts 1) we were able to give a surprise ever-lasting compliment to Apolo with a room named after him in the new Seattle Ronald McDonald House; 2) we secured a piece of history for ourselves with a paver leading up to the new house reading “In Apolo’s Name Project 2002”; and 3) we told the world there are things in this world still worth caring about.

The RMHC is thrilled with what we have done, which is set a precedent for grass roots fan fund raising. They will refer to us often as “the little fan project that could.” We didn’t drag in big names or deep pockets that would have taken away from the fans. Despite the tough economic times, with fan site support and word of mouth alone, we did it. Be proud of that.

As a cyber monument to us all, Velma will maintain the IAN site throughout 2003, including updates on the progress of the new RMH and any news or effects stemming from the project. Currently, the site has a slight new look, information (i.e. the letter the RMHC sent to Apolo, the paver certificate, etc.), and navigation to communicate the
success and end of the campaign. www.geocities.com/inapolosname [Note: this letter is from OZ fan Michelle!]

We are still hosting the IAN email address for questions or if you just want to say, “Hi.” So, we hope we can all stay in touch. inapolosname@yahoo.com You were a part of something special and unique, so here’s to you! May all the good things you put out in the world come back to you tenfold.

Your friends, Velma & Racci

Sunday Update Another great quote from the latest USS press release: "Team USA’s speed skaters finished the 2003 World University Games on Sunday without taking home any of the hardware, but Coach Scott Koons (Cleveland, Ohio) did acquire at least one more story to add to his 'chaos reigns' repertoire." (Check USS for full release)

Another great press release from US Speedskating about Team USA's adventures (and misadventures) at the World University Games. I only wish things were going more our skaters' way.

3000 Presents Last Medal Chances for U.S. Short Track Speed Skaters

And yesterday's (the best of all) for those who missed it:
U.S. Skaters Miss Medals in 500; Men Advance to Semis in 5000 Relay

Don't let the dry titles fool you. These are good reads.

Exciting news from Joanna -- Apolo has answered two questions for the Apolo Portal! Read them here.

Here are Jan's photos from Hollywood Squares (her report is also below)

Jan and Apolo

Apolo and Shari (sp?)

Behind the scenes at Hollywood Squares


Here's Jan's H2 report!

I was once again lucky. I found myself entering the "Artist's Entrance" of CBS Studios. A client of mine put me on the CBS Guest List, which didn't seem to mean much the week before when the group of OZers met there. To my surprise, this time it meant a pass backstage! Kimo was not feeling well that day so I went alone. When I arrived, everyone was at lunch. I sat with the security guard outside Apolo's dressing room and decided to find out if I could bring my camera in. She said she saw other people taking pictures there so she thought it was okay. I figured since I had to wait that I had time to run out to my car to get my camera. When I walked out Abigail and Molly saw me and told me what had happened during the morning taping and I was able to let them know that I was backstage. They were on Cloud 9 after seeing Apolo and were very supportive.

I decided to take a picture of Apolo's dressing room. Then I heard the guard say, "here he comes!" He was on his cell phone and then he saw me. He was very surprised to see me there and when I explained how I got a pass he said, "Boy, you just get all the hook-ups!" He trained the night before and was really tired, just getting over some kind of bug, but he was having a good time. I asked if he saw the other girls and he said he saw some crazy stuff going on on stage and wondered what was going on (I think he was talking about Melinda when she was dancing around on stage!). I was sitting down and he was leaning on a post as we talked about Janey leaving, Boba drinks, his online classes. Then he had to change for the next taping. Several people had to go into his dressing room for various reasons, but I didn't notice anyone being from IMG.

I went out with a group of other "guests" to take my seat and sat in front of Abigail and Molly and down the row from Melinda and Junko. Apolo looked great and enjoying himself. He got the biggest cheers when he was chosen and it was fun to watch his reactions to other "squares" answers. I noticed that the celebs spent a lot of time looking down off to the side where the contestant/host stage was at something or someone who the audience couldn't see (maybe a screen or even cue cards). They do a good job making it fun for the audience between commercials and other breaks. When they announced the winner and "loser", I noticed that Apolo was very supportive of the "loser" (who I think they said won $37,000) - he was motioning to him and saying, "that's not bad!" It was a fun show to watch and it looked like the staff of the show were all having a good time, too.

By the time I got backstage again, Apolo had already changed into his "blue" outfit. He was taking pictures with people - the cheerleaders, guests, Howie Mandel, Sheri Shephard. I was lost in all that was going on at first and forgot about getting my camera out to start taking pictures myself! I can't believe that I even overlooked his bracelet until I looked at my pictures and saw it clear as day.



I gave him a Chinese astrology card - the year of the Dog - and I told him that I thought it described him exactly how we all see him, so he started reading it. "Hmmm, interesting...." and then he laughed, "You have seductive powers!" and I said, "You should know that by now!" and we laughed.

I told him how excited we were about SLC and asked if he would be embarrassed if we had signs for him and he responded with an emphatic NO! He said the Koreans were going to be there and was inferring that they wanted to see a lot of support from all of us - SO EVERYONE BRING YOUR SIGNS TO SLC!!! He hopes he'll be ready and hopes that we'll all cheer for him (silly boy!).

He was getting ready to get whisked off by the limo and excited to be seeing his friend Dave to train with him, and didn't have to leave till the next day. We said our goodbyes and to say hi to Kimo. The girls were waiting outside and I told them that he'd be coming out soon and I had to get back to work. I would say that Apolo enjoyed himself that day. He was having fun, in a good mood and definitely enjoyed being in the square next to Howie Mandel. See you all in SLC with all your SIGNS!

Download a 20-second clip, courtesy of Sonia, Mylène and CBC, of Apolo's 1000m semifinal in Bormio. Available till 1/31. Find out how to get it in the comments box below.

Two from Anita

From Savannah:

Bid on a skinsuit signed by Apolo

More way-back shots, courtesy of Joanna

2002 Olympics - 1000m finals

2002 Olympics - 1000m quarterfinals

October 28, 2001 - Olympic Qualifiers - 1000m finals

October 28, 2001 - Olympic Qualifiers - 1000m

Here's more on next October's ST World Cup in Marquette (includes photos and quotes from Shani Davis):

NMU to host world-class skating event

It's not too early to make plans for the 2003-04 season. This from WLUC-TV in (I assume) Marquette:

Hosting A Prestigious Event
The largest and most prestigious international sporting event in the history of Marquette is coming to Northern Michigan University. There will be 150 of the world's best speed skaters from 25 countries in Marquette this fall when the USOES hosts the only World Cup Short Track Speedskating Competition for the season.

Director of USOEC Jeff Kleinschmidt says, "This type of event could put the USOEC and NMU on the map as far as being a headquarters for sporting events. There are lots of great sporting events here, but this takes it to a whole new level."

The event will be held at the Berry Events Center October 24-26. Athletes will start arriving in Marquette as early as October 20.

Junko, Abigail, Apolo, Melinda, Molly after the Hollywood Squares taping


Here's Molly's report on the Hollywood Squares taping today (followed by more photos!):

January 19, 2003 - Myself, Abigail, Junko and Melinda met at the studio early Sunday morning. It was well worth the wait. The audience was packed with mostly students and college kids, both local and visiting, some as far as Alaska! Since we got there so early, we got front row center seats to watch Apolo! As soon as we entered the studio Abigail and I saw Apolo’s ‘square’ and jumped up and down in excitement. They taped five shows, so we got to see all five shows. The other stars there were: Howie Mandell, Mario Lopez, Kennedy, Sherri Shepherd, Lorenzo Lamas, Alf, Martin Mull, and Kathy Griffin. Five shows, five different outfits….we were in heaven! Day 1 – TCA pants, gray top, Day 2 – Black/White sweater, black pants, Day 3 – Black V-neck, dark pants, Day 4 – Black Sweatshirt, Gold Chain and dark jeans with baby blue Timbaland-type boots (yum!), and Day 5 – Grey dress shirt with dark pants. We screamed VERY loud whenever he was chosen, which to our delight, was a lot! Look for his promos, he did a great job! Also, look for Kennedy to shout out ‘Apolo is SO hot’ before one of her answers. That, of course, got a lot of screams from us! The morning shows ended and the ‘squares’ took a break for lunch. We then met Jan and she had a VIP pass from a friend and went backstage to see Apolo. On our way in to the afternoon tapings, we met a few girls from the eBay appearance and we all sat together. It was great to have more Apolo fans to cheer with us. We were seated in the third row, but still in excellent view of Apolo. After the show, we were able to catch most of the stars leaving and of course, Apolo. As always, he was gracious to stop and chat with us. He joked about one of his answers, and we just laughed and told him what a great job he did! We took a few pictures, exchanged hugs and greetings and wished him luck in Salt Lake. He stayed and signed for other fans and took pictures with them as well. One of the girls from the ebay event gave him a book about Muhammad Ali which he seemed to really appreciate. Even though he was being rushed away, he stayed until everyone got either a picture or an autograph. And with that, he was off. Another testament to our wonderful Golden Boy, his appreciation and respect for his fans. Thank you Apolo!

Molly and Apolo

Apolo and Abigail

This one's for you, Janet:

Seattle's Ohno ices nomination for P-I honor

"My earliest memories (are of) training at ice rinks that most people don't even know exist in Seattle," said Ohno, Sports Illustrated cover boy and the state's first men's gold medalist in the Winter Olympics since 1984. "I was about 12 years old and had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but it was fun, so I stuck with it."

(Spot the factual error in this article.)

Verb.now screengrabs, courtesy of Sonia
and for some background on Verb, this link courtesy of Mozo: Feds Want Kids to Be More Active