Ohno Zone

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January 21, 2006

Another media roundup

Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Ohno devotes his heart, soul (patch) to Olympics

With the start of the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, just 20 days away, the countdown to more Olympic adventures has shifted into the frenzied stage for Ohno -- who is, it seems, everywhere you look.

He has, however, been forced to say "No, thanks," because of ethical conflicts, time restraints and, as he put it, "just the language in some of the contracts."

KING5.com | Speed skating's Apolo Ohno prepared for Olympic pressure

Video clip from Seattle's NBC affiliate station.

Los Angeles Times | Not Traveling to Turin Would Hurt a Lot More

[Maria Garcia] credits... her sponsor of two seasons, actor-comedian George Lopez, for easing the family's financial burden. Paying for ice time, a trainer and gym fees is expensive, and she can't work because her training consumes much of her day. She got help from an unexpected source when Peter Smokler, the director of photography on Lopez's TV show and a recreational speedskater, told Lopez of his pastime and piqued the actor's interest.

"George asked him if there were any Latina speedskaters, and when he found out about me, he said he'd support me and sponsor me," Garcia said. "Without his support I couldn't do this. My family and I are very, very grateful."

Posted by noelle at 9:57 AM | Comments (6)

January 20, 2006

Wow! Lots going on...

The European Short Track Championships got underway today in Poland. Italy's Nicola Rodigari won the men's 1500m with Pieter Gysel of Belgium 2nd and fellow Italian Nicola Franceschina 3rd. Rodigari won the European title in 2003. Defending champion Fabio Carta was eliminated in the semifinals. On the women's side, 5-time Euro champion Evgenia Radanova won the 1500m. Italians Marta Capurso and Arianna Fontana were 2nd and 3rd. Complete results

We've got tons of scans of Apolo ads and articles below. In addition, Michael writes to say: "Apolo has a nice picture in the January 23 issue of TIME magazine, where they do some brief bios on several Olympic athletes."

Thanks to everyone for their contributions!

Posted by noelle at 9:59 PM | Comments (4)

Another Apolo billboard

Thanks to Stephani, who spotted this one on Vine St in Hollywood:

(Stephani is one of many long-time OZers I've heard from this week -- good to see you guys!)

Posted by noelle at 9:37 PM | Comments (8)

Apolo in the U.S. Olympic Team catalog

Thanks to Sue and Moz for these scans!

click to enlarge

Posted by noelle at 9:29 PM | Comments (6)

Apolo and Shani in Scholastic News Magazine

Thanks to Katherine for sending these scans!

click to enlarge

Posted by noelle at 9:25 PM | Comments (3)

Eric Bedard article

Montreal Gazette | 'If they ask me, my answer is yes'
(via Eric's blog)

[Four years ago in Salt Lake City] the veteran of the Canadian short-track speed skating team had just been told by coach Guy Thibault that he was being replaced in the final of the men's 5,000-metre Olympic relay, to be held a couple of hours later.

Bedard wept, as did Francois-Louis Tremblay, who would replace him. But Bedard left the 15-minute meeting, dried his tears and screamed himself hoarse at rinkside that night, cheering Canada to the gold medal. The team of athletes he'd come to know as brothers was more important than his own crushed dream.

I dare you not to shed tears -- it's a very moving piece.

After learning the other day that several Canadian Olympians asked not to be chosen to carry the Olympic flag in the Opening Ceremonies, we find out that Speed Skating Canada has nominated Eric for the honor. Congratulations to him on his nomination, it's a well-deserved honor!

Posted by noelle at 1:02 PM | Comments (7)

January 19, 2006

Appearing in bus shelters in Los Angeles...

Thanks to Esther for this! NBC is promoting Torino coverage with this awesome Apolo ad.

Posted by noelle at 8:39 PM | Comments (16)

January 18, 2006

Media roundup [updated 1/19]

First off, Canada's Éric Bédard has a blog! It will cover him, his teammates and their Torino experiences as well as those of his family as they travel to watch him compete in Italy. Éric's blog (in French): www.ericbedard.cace.qc.ca

Speaking of Canada, they're allegedly having difficulty finding an athlete who's both willing and able to carry the flag in the Opening Ceremonies. I hereby nominate the entire short track team!

[update] Mathieu Turcotte (fun fact: has almost the same pre-race ritual as Apolo!) and Francois-Louis Tremblay (fun fact: American grandfather) have done interviews with NBCOlympics.com. I have to say again, hip hip hooray to NBC for also telling the stories of non-U.S. athletes! It means a lot to the fans of a sport.

Allison Baver has answered another mailbag.

It should be noted that America's Grandmother of Speedskating passed away last week at the age of 90.

Voice of America | South Korean Speedskater Kim Hyo-Jung Glides into New Life in US (You can listen to VOA's report about Halie at this link)

Sports Network | Olympic Profile: Speedskating's Apolo Anton Ohno

USOC: Athlete Spotlight on Kimberly Derrick

Tallahassee Democrat | Lobello's success due to relentless effort

Posted by noelle at 9:44 AM | Comments (18)

January 17, 2006

Apolo Arch Card

Mika sent in this shot and says McDonald's is now selling arch cards with Apolo on them! I have to admit I'm not exactly sure what an arch card is (gift card maybe?) but it sure looks good!

Posted by noelle at 8:21 PM | Comments (22)

January 15, 2006

Photos & video from the short track exhibition in New York City's Bryant Park

Many thanks to Sarah Lang for sending in photos from the short track event in which she participated earlier this month at the skating rink in Manhattan's Bryant Park. Her brother Edmund took the photos. It looks like a memorable event and a spectacular setting for short track! Bryant Park hopes to host this exhibition again next year.

[update] Thanks also to Fred Gilbert for this link to his 10-minute video of the event.

Sarah, a former national team member, was on the bronze medal-winning relay team at 1998 Worlds and has represented the USA in many World Cups. She also competed at the Olympic trials in Marquette and will compete in the upcoming World Team trials.

Says Sarah: "Skating short track outside is really fun. I wouldn't want to skate a World Cup outside, but we were all blown away at how cool it was to skate outside in the middle of New York city."

At left, Bridie Farrell, Abby Hammer, Sarah Lang and Amy Peterson racing at Bryant Park at night in front of the Empire State Building


Amy Peterson, Kelly Anderson, Sarah Lang, Penelope Lang, and Bridie Farrell after the first night's exhibition

Ian Baranski, Sarah Lang, Kelly Anderson, and Amy Peterson after the second day exhibition

Kelly Anderson, Abby Hammer, Amy Peterson, and Sarah Lang racing on the 2nd Day

Comment from Sarah: "The rink was wide enough (100 ft) but I think that it was only 170 ft. long, so we just did an extra lap in the 1000m and an extra .5 lap in the 500m. It was all exhibition style, so we tried to keep the pack together and do a lot of passing to put on a show. We had mats, but the boards wouldn't have been able to take a fall, so our number one goal was no falls. My sister Penelope, Kelly, Amy, Ian and I are all old enough that we used to race on 100m tracks, and we all used to skate at rinks with no mats etc. I stripped more edges in Marquette than I did in NYC on an outdoor rink in the middle of the city."

photos by Edmund Lang

Posted by noelle at 9:42 PM | Comments (58)

Apolo in Rolling Stone

Thanks to Susan in Illinois for this photo of Apolo that appears in the Jan. 26 issue of Rolling Stone!

In addition, Newsweek's Olympic preview issue is out and there is a brief piece on Apolo in the 'Peak Performers' section.

Posted by noelle at 9:53 AM | Comments (12)