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May 27, 2006
Life after Torino: a Statement from Apolo
Apolo's statement on AAO.com expands on his recent remarks in the press about his future plans. He pledges to remain involved in short track one way or another:
"I still love Short Track Speed skating. Either way I will be involved in this sport one way or the other (and yes - maybe even have my skates with me)."
Careful observers have noted that the current state of US Speedskating ('the disaster of our NGB', as Apolo calls it) is a huge factor in Apolo's decision. In my opinion, it can't be overestimated. I don't see how Apolo can commit to returning to a U.S. training program until those issues are resolved. For this reason, as Apolo has stated, the support of new sponsors could be crucial to any future training efforts.
That said, Apolo has tons of other opportunities to explore and challenges to conquer, from the entertainment world to education, and he lays them all out in his statement.
It's a beautiful thing that Apolo has many opportunities and life paths to choose among -- and there's no reason he needs to limit himself to only one. In his shoes, would any of us have it any other way?
Posted by noelle at 10:47 AM | Comments (25)
May 26, 2006
Apolo meets the governor
Gov. Christine Gregoire welcomes Winter Olympians from Washington, including short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno and women's hockey player Kelly Stephens during a reception at the Governor's Mansion on Thursday evening. (Tony Overman/The Olympian)
The Olympian | Golden moment
Ohno said he may well skate in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. "I don't know yet," Ohno said after he arrived at Thursday's reception. "Competing in the Olympics in our own back yard would be incredible.
Ohno said he definitely plans to work hard to help short track speedskating grow. "Short track is still obscure -- still amateur. It must be pumped up in the media and on television."
Tony Overman/The Olympian
Posted by noelle at 12:26 PM | Comments (25)
May 25, 2006
Apolo interview with Seattle sports radio
Q: Has MTV found you yet?
AAO: Yeah, we're talking.
A call-in interview from this afternoon with 950 KJR... Apolo deconstructs his experience throwing out the first pitch last night at the Mariners-Orioles game. Click here to listen.
One question. Who's Chad Eaton? :-P
Posted by noelle at 10:00 PM | Comments (14)
Let's not get ahead of ourselves -- the assumption that Apolo is retired from short track is premature...
USA Today | Speedskating champ Ohno 'taking a break,' unclear on future
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno is not having definitive thoughts of retiring right now. In fact, he's trying not to have thoughts about speedskating at all.
The 24-year-old said Thursday that decision is not made. He hasn't set a deadline for deciding whether to aim for 2010. "I'm hoping it will just come to me," he said.
He's also keeping an eye on U.S. Speedskating, the national governing body for his sport, which is in a state of flux. "That's also going to weigh in where I'm going to train and what's the best option for me."
Posted by noelle at 8:00 PM | Comments (18)
Apolo throws out the first pitch
AP | Speed skating champ Ohno may quit
Ohno received the loudest ovation from the 21,991 in attendance at Safeco Field among the Olympians who took the field before the Mariners' game against the Baltimore Orioles. He then threw a passable pitch to Seattle's Willie Bloomquist.
Short track speed skating world and Olympic champion Apolo Anton Ohno throws out the first pitch with fellow U.S. Olympians, hockey player Kelly Stephens, of Seattle and luger, Christian Niccum, from Woodinville, Wash. before the Seattle Mariners-Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball game in Seattle Wednesday, May 24, 2006. Ohno said Wednesday he may be done with competitive skating."No world championships. I'm taking a break", Ohno said minutes before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Posted by noelle at 12:13 AM | Comments (54)
May 24, 2006
Video clip: KING5 interviews Apolo
This interview with Apolo by Seattle's NBC affiliate was taped at Yuki's salon. Another nice piece!
Posted by noelle at 9:40 PM | Comments (14)
Apolo interview on Seattle radio
Listen to Apolo's interview that took place this morning on Seattle's 710 KIRO
Check AAO.com for a full schedule of Apolo's appearances in Seattle this week.
Posted by noelle at 1:53 PM | Comments (15)
Awesome article today!
Seattle Times | Busy schedule makes Ohno long for Seattle
This much Ohno knows with certainty: He has not ruled out competing in the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. He's also ready to become an entertainer.
Ohno calls this period of his life an expansion phase. The last 10 years have been wrapped entirely around the Olympics, wiping out any semblance of a social life. And now that Ohno has accomplished all that he set out to, he wants to "do something bigger and more powerful."
This will include more speaking engagements and could include work in television or movies. He already has been offered parts in movies, but can't discuss them because the negotiations are ongoing.
There is no blueprint for Ohno's plan, no footsteps to follow. Only a plan to be the first.
Part of Ohno's plan involves finding sponsors or opportunities locally. He says no Olympic athlete from here has ever "really been the face of the area." He says he'd like to be that person.
"The philosophy of winning is not determined by getting on the podium," Ohno says. "It's much, much bigger than that. That's what the Olympics are about. And I want to be the ambassador to carry that, to show athletes and the world."
Apolo Ohno celebrates his 24th birthday at the Space Needle with dad Yuki Ohno, Kiyomi Starre and Paul Ellis.
photos by JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Posted by noelle at 9:17 AM | Comments (17)
Speedskating jobs available!
In case any readers out there are job hunting and interested, US Speedskating now has a number of positions they're looking to fill:
1. Short Track National Coach
2. Long Track National Coach
3. Long Track Managing Program Director
4. Executive Director
If you are interested in these opportunities, click here to apply online.
Posted by noelle at 9:13 AM | Comments (7)
May 22, 2006
Happy birthday, Apolo!
Apolo turns 24 today - kind of amazing to think we've helped usher in every birthday of the golden boy since he left his teen years. Here's wishing you another remarkable chapter in your journey, Apolo. Live it up!
To mark Apolo's birthday, here's a mini-retrospective of memorable golden moments from his career from 2000-6:
2000
Dec. 8: 1500m gold for 18 year old Apolo at Chang Chun CHN World Cup
2006
Feb. 25: Apolo, age 23, wins 500m gold at the Olympic Winter Games in Torino
And there have been so many in between! A small selection follows -- one from each year (except I'm somehow missing 2001!):
2002
Feb. 16: Olympic gold in the 1500m in Salt Lake City
photographer unknown
2003
March 2: The U.S. national champ takes a victory lap in Bay City
2004
Feb. 14: Overall champion at World Cup #6, Bormio ITA
2005
March 13: 1000m world champion, 2005 World ST Championships, Beijing
Copyright 2005 Pablo Galvez, capturedmemories.ca
Used by permission of americanshorttrack.com
Posted by noelle at 12:02 AM | Comments (76)