(report by Susan Groszkiewicz…."ma")
Susan G and Julia
Most of us have discovered that Life is a series of hills and valleys…sometimes the valleys seem especially long and dark. And sometimes the hilltops are an incandescent blaze of Joy that lights up every aspect of our lives, if only for a while. Salt Lake City was definitely a "Hilltop" experience for everyone. Our relatively small group of 2050 spectators had an unparalleled view of the rink, separated only by a walkway, and about 2 ½ feet of pads and rinkside. Thanks to Kari Holt Larson at the Utah Olympic Oval. I sent her an E-Mail the week before the competition asking about removal of the glass barriers surrounding the rink. She voiced safety concerns but imagine our delight to find us practically on the ice ourselves! I realize in retrospect that this was a major distraction for the skaters. The spectators were generally very quiet during the crucial "start" but there were too many flashbulbs contributing I suspect to the numerous "false starts" as a result of the close proximity of the bleachers to the start line (I would estimate to within about 7 feet!).
Julia, Sooz and Neil did a fabulous job at organizing a team gift and presentation: long sleeve black tee shirts with the logo "The Icemen (or Ice Women) Cometh" with the skater's name down the sleeve. This was "definitely" a challenge with last minute changes in the starting line -up. But our intrepid Ozers are nothing if resourceful! And a special thanks to Jack Mortell at US Speedskating, who is determined to get his skaters involved in community activities and outreach. We were able to arrange the presentation after the Thursday practice, in a small reception area outside the room used for the press conference. Each skater arrived separately, was introduced with a brief recap of accomplishment to a big hand of applause. I was very pleased to present Caroline Hallisey with her shirt and diplomatic Julia arranged for a young gentleman (OK a kid!) to present Apolo's shirt to him. Folks I felt bad. Apolo seemed uncomfortable and if he could have crawled up in that hat I think he would have. But of course he was his usual gracious self and I don't think we embarrassed him after all. Young Mr. Derek Gray looked surprised to get a birthday card from me….I hunted all over. On the front was a mouse holding a bright shiny gold circle of (??) it looked rather like a gold coin (smiles) and it read "May all your dreams come true." And I'm proud to report that Anita and Jo (I think) and I were the fans yelling "Happy Birthday Derek" Saturday that prompted the OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT …LOL. But Mr. Derek has chutzpah and confidence enough…I suspect he's gonna eat up all the attention that will be coming HIS way. (Laughs…) Those present know that Derek skates with fire and great hunger…he's fun to watch and we'll have fun watching him mature as a person and as a skater. Alex Izykowski skated very solidly and held up his share of the load in the 5000m relay. Sunday evening I congratulated him on his first World Cup event and his performance….I think we have a new candidate for the title of The Shy One….my personal observation is that we now have perfect balance among the team members.
I have "no words" for the skating. I simply can't believe anyone could see a Short Track Competition and not instantly become a fan. I sat during the 3000m race with members of my Speedskating Club (that's you Sophia!) and afterwards Mary Wong (founder and president) said she and hubby Greg wondered if they were even in the same sport! They started clocking the SLOWEST skaters, who were racing at times of some of our fastest skaters. Well…I sure know who our slowest skater is…but I'm still upright in those iridescent aqua Bonts. And inspired!
After skating the high point of the weekend was the Saturday night Olympic dinner/celebration. Those folks need to see just how many fans put out $200 and send a note of thanks to Rusty and Apolo…LOL. Rusty Smith has a great people oriented and outgoing personality. He cruised in, whipped out his Home Depot trading cards and started signing them. Yep The Rustinator looks real good in his Home Depot uniform! He talked and joked at length with the fans…and won over our "hearts and minds." Apolo arrived later and folks, we surrounded him in what I would term…ahem…a protective cordon. I don't think I saw but one "non fan" couple get through. And despite his two days of loses on the ice Apolo was relaxed, smiling and seemed genuinely glad to see his fans. He, Yuki and Rusty got a ton of smiles and laughs out of the book of cartoons and art April presented. No one complained of a lack of air, although we WERE just that thick and close.
Jan and Kimo with April's drawing of them and Apolo
I asked Apolo if the noise and commotion from the fans had been distracting. And got the Ohno answer: no whining, no complaints, no excuses. "NO! I'm glad you're here. Think what it would have been like without you!" Folks, is there anyone out there who can't figure out why we love this young man? I posed for my picture, with a nice firm clutch from the Champ I might add…and I reached out for my faithful roomie Deb Moffit. I'm tall, and she's a tiny Japanese American lady…I got my arm right around her and tucked her under Apolo's arm and said, "Apolo, Deb has come all the way from Honolulu to meet you." Deb too was able to speak in grammatically correct sentences and Apolo looked down so sweetly at her…Deb looked like his Japanese Auntie. Somehow that moment encapsulated for me all the admiration, affection and devotion that Apolo Ohno's fans of all ages feel for him. As I later told Yuki Ohno, there are young men who are cute and who are great athletes but rarely one who also has the kind of character that elicits respect from adults.
Other highlights….meeting The Great Jeff Allred of Deseret News fame. He was a hoot! Amazed when we squealed for him too and asked for pictures. But those of you who have seen his work know why he's famous to us! Jeff posed the entire group on the stage after the crowd had departed upstairs and took a professional group photo. Other highlights….Molly and Abigail leading the yelling during the movie. OK…and not just when Apolo appeared. We cheered for lots of athletes, and especially Vonetta Flowers. Vonetta told me she had twin boys in August and is receiving much help from her mother and her hubby. She trains at a local high school and hopes to push that bobsled again in Torino. And of course Bob Costas - am I correct here? (Susan, I think you mean Pat O'Brian Lol! -Ed.) choosing the moment that exemplified the Olympics for him. We knew right away what that was….Apolo's 1000m race. Apolo had been "spirited away" from our loving attention to a more central spot in the standing crowd from which to watch the movie. I did not see him again, but his magnificent performance the next day made it clear that he was "studying those tapes" to modify his game plan.
A final word…I have omitted much, but there are others to share. Apolo Ohno skates with a power and grace that mark him among any person in the rink. The splintering ice flew in sheets as he rounded the corners. But ever the consummate skater he reexamined his game, compensated for the brittle ice by changing tactics and taking the lead. Those long lonely hours of training, building his body to become a "machine" paid off. But in the end I think Apolo's fighting spirit is the key to his success. Talent, technique, training….and the fierce desire to be The Best. My banner was entirely appropriate: "Apolo Lord of the Rink"
Apolo practices his start
