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December 30, 2005
Yet another media roundup!
NBCOlympics.com video | 'I'm like a mountain man'
"After these next games, I'd love to be an advocate to push this [sport] forward. I would love to see Asian countries, Canadians, Europeans, and the U.S. go on tours, in these huge competitions, kind of like a World Cup circuit, to major cities around the world... even have people gamble on it. You have this thing in Vegas and people would go nuts! The potential is there."
There are also two new clips with Rusty and Allison.
San Antonio Express-News | OLYMPIANS ALL
If there's anyone who is the face of the Winter Olympic Games for U.S. viewers, it's Apolo Anton Ohno. He competes in the wildest, goofiest, most-watchable sport at the Games, short-track speed skating....Amen!!Oh yes, and he's also a thoroughly good guy. He advocates sportsmanship and drug-free competition on his Web site, ApoloAntonOhno.com, and he's also one of the best sportsmen in any sport anywhere (it's a long story, but it involves lots of death threats from Korean fans following a spill in Salt Lake City four years ago).
Korea Times | World Top Short Tracker Targets 1st Gold in 1,500M
also: Short Track Korea’s Hopes in Torino
Ahn Hyun-soo, world top ranker in short track speed skating, aims to win one gold medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. "People might expect more from me, but I aim to win a gold in the 1,500-meter race in Torino," Ahn, 20, said."We... appreciate the affection that the people have shown to us past a few years. But I wish it would be steady, not intermittent. If it happens in that way, I think they will be able to see their players perform better."
Awww...
New York Times | Speedskaters Making Tracks for Canada
More than half of the top American long-track speedskaters have abandoned the national team, giving up its financial support in favor of going their own way. The defectors include Chad Hedrick and Shani Davis - two of the top men in the world - as well as the 2002 gold medalists Derek Parra and Chris Witty.Some skaters left because they can make more money from outside sponsorships, but some want a different training environment. The defections have left U.S. Speedskating fractured and worried whether its sponsors will continue their financial support, with so many star athletes refusing to live under its tent.
AP | Inline a 'Godsend' for Speedskating
This is a cool article, the first I've seen that explores the impact inline-to-ice crossover athletes have had on speed skating -- and on roller sports.
These days, it's hard to imagine where the U.S. speedskating program might be without those who began their racing careers on concrete instead of ice.But there are concerns that the inline-to-ice pipeline is starting to dry up, endangering a valuable resource for locating new skaters and expanding the popularity of a mostly provincial sport.
With that in mind, U.S. Speedskating officials are looking for ways to dramatically increase their presence on the ice. The goal is to raise the number of skaters nationwide from 3,000 to 7,000 over the next five years.
Natick Bulletin & Tab | Chasing the Olympic dream
Eleven years ago Caroline Hallisey left home to chase her dream of becoming an Olympian in short track speedskating. "I never thought I would be a three-time Olympian," Hallisey said. "I always dreamed to go the Olympics even once, so to be able to have this many opportunities to go back to try and get a medal is an honor."
People's Daily Online | China names Olympic Games short track speed skating squad
The Australian | Skaters hell-bent on making dramatic return
Posted by noelle at 12:05 PM | Comments (15)
December 29, 2005
Marquette gallery day 2 - 1500m and 500m
More photos from Marquette are ready! These are from the 2nd day, with scenes from the first 500m and 1500m races of the week. Thanks to Sue for her contributions to the gallery! See the full gallery here.
Apolo exits the ice after winning the 1500m A final
1500m semi final: Alex Izykowski still leads Mike Kooreman and Misi Toth
Apolo prepares to hunt down the pack in his 1500m semifinal
Sarah Lang and Bridie Farrell are 1-2 in the 1500m B final
What it feels like to skate the 1500m on a broken ankle
Apolo lines up for his 500m semi final (photo by Sue Tichy)
Lineup for the 500m A final: Allison Baver, Kristen Biondo, Hyo-jung Kim, Caroline Hallisey, Amy Peterson
500m A final: Apolo Ohno and Rusty Smith
Posted by noelle at 12:09 PM | Comments (6)
Apolo mention in today's Wall Street Journal
The WSJ has a sports roundup today with a small racing photo of Apolo. Here's what the text (Section D, page 5) says:
Five days after the Rolling Stones bring their 'A Bigger Bang' tour to the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 5, a fleet of rollerbladers with flames shooting from their heads will open the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.The games will not have any new events this year (note: what about snowboard cross, aka short track on snow!) -- but viewers should expect to hear more about sports other than figure skating and downhill skiing. Skeleton will certainly get a boost if the photogenic Noelle Pikus-Pace makes the U.S. team. Ms. Pikus-Pace is the reiging world-champion skeleton slider, but two months ago a bobsled collision fractured her leg in multiple places. She began competing again a few weeks ago, and is one of the favorites to win a second slot on the U.S. team. Meanwhile, Seattle native Apolo Ohno is still one of the world's best short-track speed skaters, still has his soul patch, and still wants to win a gold without any controversy (In 2002, he won when a South Korean star was disqualified.)
Posted by noelle at 9:34 AM | Comments (2)
December 26, 2005
Media roundup [updated 12/30]
Newest articles on top...
Philadelphia Inquirer | Baver made a quick turn into short-track speedskating
"Physically, being ready for the Olympics is no problem," [Baver] said. "I've worked really hard to get where I am. Mentally, I'll be ready very soon. It is going to be really [at the Olympic Games]. There are women from all over the world who are very experienced. But then again, I've raced them and beat them in World Cups. So I've got to take it a day at a time, a race at a time, and hope that everything I've worked for mentally and physically comes together."
San Jose Mercury News | He much prefers a low profile
Apolo Ohno is famous (he has been one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people). He's hip (check out his soul patch). He's dreamy (listen to the shrieks of the female fans at the recent short-track speedskating national championships).
Chicago Tribune | BLADERUNNER
If you read nothing else, read this -- it's too fascinating to miss.
[note of 12/30: ShaniDavis.org webmaster has posted a rebuttal to this article]
CRI Online | Yang Yang Eyes More Olympic Victory
"My friends and relatives do not agree with my decision to return to the sport. They think it is a risk for me as I may not be as brilliant as before. But I was certain that if I were to stand only as a spectator in Turin next year, I would be very sad."
MetroWest Daily News | Hallisey is bound for Olympics
Congratulations to Caroline Hallisey and J.P. Kepka on their recent engagement! They plan an October wedding.
Bay City Times | Izykowski's next stop:Turin, Italy
The 21-year-old Bay County speedskater won't be home for the holidays for the first time since he laced up his ice skates more than a decade ago. It's just one of the many sacrifices the Bay City Western grad and his family are making after Izykowski a week ago became just the second Bay County speedskater ever to make an Olympic team.
CRI Online | Wang Wins 1000m Title; Yang Disqualified
Yang Yang (A) Wins National Champs
Results from China's short track nationals... not sure if it's also their Olympic trials.
Posted by noelle at 10:18 AM | Comments (14)