US Speedskating Updates

Apolo and Tony watch the men's relay semis in Sweden

If you've visited the USS web site, you'll see an announcement seeking coaching candidates for the national short track team. Tony Goskowicz has resigned his position with U.S. Speedskating in order to pursue his studies in computer science. We'll miss Tony's cheerful rink-side presence next season and wish him all the best in his future pursuits.

Although next season's World Cup schedule hasn't been formally announced, the location of Las Vegas for World Cup #3 appears to be a done deal, and it will take place Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 26-28). Get your wagers ready!

Speaking of Vegas, April and Julia have established a planning group: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/worldcupvegas/

Finally, the national team invitations went out recently and in a couple of weeks we should know the full national team roster for 2004-05. The Colorado Springs program will start up with a mini-camp for early birds who are ready to go after the 1st of May, with the program officially starting up on or about May 15.

The World Cup team won't change for World Cups #1 and 2. With a make-or-break season coming up, the team expects to travel to all 6 World Cups next season.

Cold Pizza Clips

They're here, thanks to Sonia and Maggie! Cold Pizza video clips

Sullivan Award Photo

U.S. swimmer and world record holder Michael Phelps is applauded by Sarah Hughes, Philippa Raschker Apolo Ohno after being presented with the 2003 AAU Sullivan Award Tuesday, April 13, 2004 in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Random Short Track Reference

This has to take the cake. From today's Akron Beacon-Journal:

The sporting news
Song Suk-woo recently won the men's 500-meter sprint at the world short-track speedskating championships in Sweden. Steve Aschburner of America Online likes the name: "Say it a few times, in fact, and you, too, will start hearing a Neil Diamond song in your head.''

Sullivan Awards Ceremony

Apolo addresses the Sullivan audience

Congratulations go to swimmer Michael Phelps, who won the Sullivan Award tonight. 2003 Sullivan winner Sarah Hughes was present to help hand out medals to each finalist. Cold Pizza's Thea Andrews and the Cold Pizza guy host emceed the event.

Sarah Hughes presents Apolo with his Sullivan medal

The best part of the awards was the introduction of each finalist, in which they had the chance to speak a few words. Afterwards, a compilation video was shown with scenes of each athlete in competition. The fleeting glimpses of Apolo racing, juxtaposed with the other sports represented by the various nominees, underscored for me what a thrilling and beautiful sport short track really is (but I may be biased).

The speechmaking wasn't so great, which probably isn't too unusual with this kind of thing! Much was made of the fact that a) Apolo was named one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people, and b) that after the awards, the party was moving to what sounded like 'Club Plaid' where an open bar awaited guests 'of all ages.' Heh heh.

Apolo on stage during the Sullivans

Finalists Philippa Raschker, Michael Phelps and Apolo Ohno

Cold Pizza screengrabs (Video coming soon!)

Apolo Ohno NYC Appearance Schedule

Here's the latest from NYC!

Tuesday, April 13
- probable CBS Early Show appearance (airs 7-9AM ET)
- very tentative: Late Show with David Letterman (airs 11:30PM ET)
- Sullivan Awards, 6PM at the New York Athletic Club

Info on attending the Sullivan Awards is available at aausullivan.org

*** The Sullivan Awards will be broadcast LIVE online. The video webcast costs $15; audio only is free. Either way you must register. Get details here.

Apolo's Appearance on 'Cold Pizza'

Apolo did a great job this morning and won his celebrity sports challenge. Nice throw, Apolo! I won't post too many spoilers here since our West Coast friends probably haven't seen the show yet. This was a really fun appearance and Apolo did a great job when he was put on the spot about the Korea situation in particular.

The awesome news is that Apolo is planning to visit our men and women in uniform who are stationed at U.S. military bases in Europe leading up to the Summer Games in Athens. He may make an appearance in Athens as well. Stay tuned!

Here's another set of Sweden photos - these were taken Thursday in Gothenburg at the team practice. Larger versions have been added to the Sweden gallery.