A word of reflection...

In a few weeks, Ohno Zone will mark its first birthday. Who could have imagined our growth and success this past year? YOU have all made OZ into the wonderful community it is today -- a community by and for the fans. Thank you, every one of you, for your enthusiasm and support, which inspire Todd and me every day. You are the lifeblood of this site.

At the same time, it's worth noting that as a public forum, OZ reaches a broader audience than you may realize. In reflecting on the evolution of OZ, a gentle reminder: it's up to each of us to do our part to make sure OZ remains a place we are proud of, where everyone feels comfortable visiting, reading or commenting, and a community that reflects the respect and pride we all feel for Apolo and for one another.

VIVA OZ!

1) Seems there is no shortage of inspirational stories in speedskating. Read about Kristine Holzer, who didn't start skating till four years ago and just won a national title at the US LT Championships at age 28, after battling rheumatoid arthritis as a child.

Victory Caps Holzer's Conversion (nice shot of Shani, too)

2) Erin Porter, formerly of the short track team, has switched to long track this season:
Porter glides from short-track to long-track speedskating

From the Boston Globe:

"Add speedskating to the ''upon-further-review'' crew. Referees now can use video replays to help decide protests. Unlike NFL officials, however, they can't use slow motion; everything has to be in ''real time''. Even so, the videos will help sort out short-track's frequent who-fouled-whom? messes that result from the sport's three-car pileups."

An announcement from TBD:

I have Apolo skating clips from BB Spec converted to .wmv files. I'd gladly email the files to anyone interested. There are 3 files:
a) opening = 2.5 mb
b) 2nd act = 2.5 mb
c) New Year Resolution = .3 mb

If you are interested, please e-mail her at sheepdown@aol.com.

Apolologic sent a link to her lovely Vegas screengrabs: click here

April sent in these great Vegas and Dateline screengrabs:

IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION REGARDING EBAY AUCTION ITEM:

I stand corrected: the person who posted a comment earlier today does in fact represent U.S. Speedskating and the auction and the item being auctioned ARE legitimate. A USS representative initially indicated otherwise, but has since let me know that it's all legitimate:

"Our company works for U.S. Speed Skating as an independent contractor and handles all of the Marketing and Sales efforts. This auction is legitimate, and a portion of the proceeds do go directly to U.S.Speedskating. Andy Gabel, our President gave the approval on the idea and this is our very first item up on the trading block."

My sincere apologies to USS and to OZ fans for misunderstanding the situation. So dear OZers, let the bidding begin! Here is the auction on eBay, for an autographed, certified photo of the crash in Apolo's 1000 meter race last February in Salt Lake.

eBay Auction: Apolo Ohno Framed Autograph

This doesn't quite do it justice, but for those who didn't get to see the video yet, here is a sequence from 'the jump':

Clockwise from top left

Here are some of Melinda's Vegas photos

The missing footage: Apolo takes his bow!

Apolo and Melinda after the show

HAPPY NEW YEAR, OHNO ZONE!

Who knew on 1/1/02 that we'd be where we are today? As I recall, this time last year I was excited about the upcoming Winter Games, but I knew nothing of short track. What a difference a year makes, eh?

May this be the best year yet for each and every one of you. *hugs*

Some more press mentions of Apolo:

TCPalm.com: Year 2002 in Review: Fashion
(thanks to Rob for the link)

Sacramento Bee: Looking good: The best and worst dressers in 2002

Who got it right in 2002? That's easy. Good guys: How about the U.S. Olympic heroes from Salt Lake City? Let's go with speedskaters Apolo Anton Ohno and Derek Parra.

Salt Lake Tribune :Utah in 2002:Downs, Few Ups

Daily Advance: A look back at 2002 in sports

wishing you all a very safe and happy new year!!

may the joyous spirit of this season remain with you throughout the year ahead...

-Todd

NOW PLAYING ON A MEDIA PLAYER NEAR YOU:

THE JUMP, starring Apolo Anton Ohno as himself;
Plus a supporting cast of extras, playing themselves (rival speedskaters)

Synopsis: As Ohno makes his move in the final laps of a 1000 meter qualifying race, calamity strikes. What does the young champion do when a rival skater falls in his path -- jump over him and skate to victory, or crumple to the ice in a heap? Watch the movie to find out!

Filmed on location in Bormio, Italy, 12/8/02;
made possible by a grant from an anonymous benefactor

Update: I've now removed the clip. We may be able to post it again later in the month, or get a briefer version that we can host permanently. I will keep you posted!

A few more mentions of Apolo in these articles:

Salt Lake Tribune: Davis Doubling His Pleasure
About Shani Davis

Miami Herald: REMEMBER WHEN?

Asbury Park Press: 2002 in review: Amusing year with its own bouquet

Great Seattle Times article today. Ron Judd is back doing what he does better than anyone else: writing about Apolo!

"Ohno was vaulted into an alternate-universe world of stardom he could scarcely have imagined..."

2002 headliners: Apolo Ohno went from little-known to splashed in flashbulbs

Another awesome article, from the Salt Lake Tribune, about long tracker Joey Cheek training with Apolo:

"[Apolo is] from another planet," said Cheek, 23. "The way he trains, the way he thinks: He's light-years ahead of everybody else. You can't find anyone who has a better head on their shoulders as far as training goes."

Training Sojourn With Ohno Paying Dividends for Cheek

Here is a selection of some 'year-in-review' articles that mention Apolo:

San Diego Union Tribune: Year full of upsets uplifting for fans

New York Times: A Personal Leap Year: Some Postcards From 2002

New York Times: 2002: A YEAR OF CHAMPIONS Faster, Higher, Stronger

Seattle Times: Pages in time: The year's top stories

Tacoma News Tribune: New Year's Resolutions