Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice picture! In any case, I wanted to say a quick hello from Utah! More amazing than finally meeting Apolo and Yuki has been meeting all of the truly incredible, wonderful, talented and warm people who make up this community...not just the OZ, but everyone who's still here making a vibrant online community! This is an amazing precursor to the celebration of our one year anniversary...I wish you ALL could meet each other...you're AMAZING! I can't wait to post more, give you my impressions and thoughts...just generally adding color commentary to all of this. I can't believe I'm still awake after being up for 48 hours, but I can sleep when I'm dead, right?!? ;)

The Wizard of OZ in SLC: Todd arrived today! He made it in time to see the men's awesome 5000m relay semifinal. Afterwards, we went down to the media area, where Todd got to meet Yuki, Will (Apolo's new agent), Stephen Gough, and the man himself, Apolo Ohno. (Those are Apolo's locks peeking out behind Todd.) It is a thrill to finally meet Todd and for Todd to meet everyone!

Yuki, Will Sherling, Todd

Apolo at the start line of his 1500 semi 2/7/03. That's Jeff Scholten (CAN) #312.

Derek Gray and Apolo Ohno warming up, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/7/03

Hey everyone. Another late night in OZ-land! Today was a bit of a bummer, but there were some great things too -- such as all the U.S. men and ladies making it to the semis and two guys and Caroline to their finals. Of course, we wish the outcomes there could have been different!

+ The 1500 semis: Derek Gray's semi was a wild race. He did a fabulous job though! I think he was impeded twice, by Monette (CAN) and Iveson (GBR), who were both DQ'ed. Early in the race, it was Monette (if I recall correctly). Derek slipped badly and recovered brilliantly -- shades of "the jump" in Bormio. Later in the race he was taken out in a two-man crash. The two skaters were DQ'ed and Derek was rightfully advanced to the final. As for Apolo's semifinal, he got stuck too long in third behind Jeff Scholten (CAN) and Sui (CHN). On the last half lap he tried to make his move to pass Scholten, and just ran out of room, impeding Scholten. The DQ was an obvious call from where I sat. That's just the way it goes sometimes. He had to try to get by. But it was heartbreaking all the same. The crowd booed on Apolo's DQ, which wasn't a pretty display. This MSNBC article that someone linked in the comments explains it all pretty well.

+ The 1500 final: On the other hand, it was exciting to see Derek and Rusty both in the final. It was a tough race, and they both skated very well, I thought. Credible charges flying around about illegal team skating from the two Chinese competitors. I can't comment on that because I was so busy watching Derek and Rusty that I didn't watch the Chinese.

+ Ladies' 1500: They all did well, making it to the semis, with Caroline in the final. Allison Baver got DQ'ed in her semifinal but I don't remember what happened now. I think it was pretty clearly impeding, though. Caroline skated well but in the end finished last. I'll tell you what, this Chinese 'B' team is pretty strong. They're cleaning up. And the Canadians are strong as always.

+ Relays were awesome! Unfortunately, the U.S. women don't advance to the semi. For the men, it was our first time seeing Alex Izykowski skate. I thought he and Derek both did an awesome job and it was an exciting race. The most amazing heat was the one the Australians won. They were fast, there were several exchanges of the lead late in the race. The crowd was really into it! Apart from the booing mentioned above, the crowd here is awesome, going crazy for Apolo and the U.S. skaters, but also very supportive of other countries as well. It was also very full, close to capacity, which means tomorrow and Sunday should be packed.

+ Yuki was at the Oval today, and I saw him and chatted for a bit. He was with Apolo's new agent, Will Sherling, whom I also met. I told him how helpful Janey had been to Ohno Zone fans and said I hoped we could have a similar relationship with him, and he seems willing to continue in that role. Yuki and Will watched the races together most of the day. Lots of fans were able to stop Yuki and say hello. He is looking forward to meeting Todd when he arrives in SLC tomorrow. I told Yuki I was looking forward to meeting Todd, too! The girl whose picture was linked below with that sign came up to Yuki while I was talking to him and stuck her sign in his face. He laughed. Later I passed by and she asked if she could have my 'backstage pass'. I laughed.

+ All the OZ fans are wonderful! I think I've met just about everyone now, and it's such a pleasure to match names to faces. I think everyone had a great time today at Day 1 of the World Cup, despite the disappointment of Apolo's DQ and no Americans reaching the podium so far. Better things to come this weekend!

Apolo Anton Ohno hits his stride during his first heat of the men's 1,500-meters short track race on Friday. Ohno was disqualified in the semifinals trying to advance on the last lap. Courtesy MSNBC

So, I'm posting from the office...we're doing this big media stunt which requires me to put in this overnight shift before jetting to SLC at 9am. I'll take some pics to share with all of you. Much love, Todd...

Well, it sounds like everyone is having entirely too much fun in SLC! I will turn this car around...I mean it!! Don't make me come out there, ladies!

;)

An article from the Salt Lake Tribune. This is also word for word from the press conference. Kind of takes the heat off me for a bit because I haven't had time to transcribe my tape yet!

Ohno Back, Looking Simply to Win

Pictures taken Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Utah Olympic Oval. First set from the press conference, second set from the gift presentation from fans to the team, and the final set is from today's team practice.

U.S. short track team press conference, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/6/03

U.S. short track team press conference, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/6/03
Alex Izykowski, Apolo Ohno, Rusty Smith

U.S. short track team press conference, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/6/03
Alex Izykowski, Apolo Ohno, Rusty Smith

Team gift presentation, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/6/03
l-r: Rusty Smith, Stephen Gough, Apolo Ohno, Tony Goskowicz

U.S. short track team and Stephen Gough holding up sign, 2/6/03
l-r: Derek Gray, Alex Izykowski, Kira Fling, Rusty Smith, Stephen Gough, Apolo, Tony Goskowicz, Paul Marchese

Julia presents sign from fans to U.S. team, Utah Olympic Oval, 2/6/03
l-r: Julia, Caroline Hallisey, Bridie Farrell, Derek Gray, Alex Izykowski, Kira Fling, Rusty Smith, Stephen Gough, Apolo, Tony Goskowicz

2/6/03 practice: U.S. men round a turn at Utah Olympic Oval
l-r Rusty Smith, Apolo, Alex Izykowski

2/6/03 team practice: Apolo and assistant coach Tony Goskowicz

2/6/03 team practice: pouring water into the bucket to spread on the ice

Ron Judd of the Seattle Times was at the press conference today. His article is already up and it's basically word for word information that was discussed at the press conference.

Ohno feeling sharp for World Cup race

Here are the photos that illustrated the USA Today article. Many thanks to Addi for scanning and sending them in.

Caption: Spartan life: The glamour and excitement of the Olympics - and its busy aftermath - are long gone for Ohno, who packs his gear after training. He lives in a dorm at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Caption: Watch out: Apolo Anton Ohno checks out a blade while training in Colorado Springs.

A fabulous article on Apolo today:

Ohno returns with no-frills regimen

USA Today has an update on America's medal-winning athletes from Salt Lake 2002:

Salt Lake medalists earn more wins, raise families

Hey everyone! I made it to Salt Lake - dazed, confused and jetlagged, but still in one piece.

Courtesy of Sonia and Janet here are more interview clips for you to download.

Clip 2a and Clip 2b

Details on obtaining the clips in the comments box

Clip 4 (clip 3 not yet available) - see comments box for how to get the clip

Hi gang!

I just can't contain my excitement for SLC in a few days! I will be able to attend Sat. & Sun., but what I am most excited for is the chance to meet those of you who will be attending!!! The Wizard of O Z steps outside the curtain...

Countdown to SLC
World Cup Update #1:

"Team USA will hold a press conference on Thursday, February 6, at 3 p.m. at the Utah Olympic Oval. Eight athletes, including Olympic gold and silver medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and bronze medalist Rusty Smith, along with the U.S. head coach will be available for interviews." (courtesy communications director, Utah Olympic Oval)

I will be attending this press conference on behalf of Ohno Zone. What questions do you have for Apolo, Rusty, Stephen Gough, and the rest of Team USA? Send them to me. I have never been to a press conference before, so I can't make any promises, but I'll do my best to get some answers!

Countdown to SLC
World Cup Update #2:

SLC World Cup News Flash (per communications director, Utah Olympic Oval):

"Steven Bradbury, the Olympic gold medalist in the men’s 1000 meters when he was the only athlete still standing in the race, returns [to Salt Lake City] as a coach for Australia [at the World Cup]."

From the Salt Lake Tribune:

It's been nearly a year since the Olympics were in town. Remember the snow? The Canadians? The scandals? The line at Bud World? The 17-day, nonstop party?

Rekindling 2002

There is a very extensive photo gallery up now on worldshorttrack.com from the Bormio World Cup.

Here is a set of screengrabs from April