Posted on 02/14/2010 7:19:44 AM PST by SeekAndFind
VANCOUVER - Someday soon, Apolo Anton Ohno will take his cool name, his charisma, the bandanna, and the trademark soul patch and skate away from the short-track sport in which he has used all to maximum advantage.
Some, in fact, thought that day would have come already.
But the lure of an Olympics in Vancouver, so close to his Washington hometown, and the opportunity to become the most decorated American winter athlete pulled him back for more.
Last night, Ohno tied that record, though it took some luck on the last lap of the 1,500. With three South Koreans leading, two collided on the final turn, opening the way for Ohno and American teammate J.R. Celski.
The gold went to South Korea's Jung-Su Lee. Ohno got the silver medal - his record-tying sixth medal - while Celski got bronze. Afterward, someone in the shrieking, sellout crowd at Pacific Coliseum tossed Ohno an American flag. He took it and skated around the track, holding up six fingers to indicate his accomplishment.
Ohno, who won three at Turin and two at Salt Lake City, had been one of six male speedskaters with five Olympic medals. But the other five have retired.
Among American men, Ohno had been tied with Eric Heiden, though Heiden's were all gold, and he won them in a single Olympics, at Lake Placid in 1980. Bonnie Blair also has six speedskating medals.
An indication of just how much Ohno craved these things was his pre-Games regimen.
He worked out three times a day, every day. He watched what he ate even when there wasn't much to eat. He dropped 20 pounds from his 2002 weight and now weighs 145. He doubled the amount he could lift.
He will get three more cracks at adding to his historic medal haul in Vancouver. Ohno is scheduled to compete in the 500, 1,000 and 5,000-meter relay.
Ohno got through safely in his heat and semifinal, though in each he had to rally furiously in the last few laps.
It was the same in the final. He led midway through but was passed by the Koreans. He stayed near the pack, and when the collision took place, he capitalized, a look of amazement on his face as he glided across the finish line.
"For me an historical night on so many accounts," Ohno said. "Regardless of whether it was a gold, silver or bronze. I'm at a great place mentally."
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Allison Baver, the Sinking Spring, Berks County, veteran who had hoped to win a first medal in her third Olympic trip.
Baver was bumped from the women's 3,000-meter relay team that competed in last night's semifinal. She is also scheduled for the 1,000 and 1,500, both next week.
"It was, of course, my coach's final decision, and we talked about it," said Baver, who suffered a broken leg a year ago yet had recuperated enough to qualify for these Games. "But the decision was for every girl to potentially have a medal, and the rule is all five girls have to skate sometime in the finals or semifinals."
Baver, Kimberly Derrick, Lana Gehring, Katherine Reutter, and Alyson Dudek had been alternating in the four-woman event on the World Cup circuit and had great success.
Though he has not said anything yet, these Games could mark the end of Ohno's distinguished career. His appeal not only helped popularize the short-track sport in the United States and around the world, but he also won the overall U.S. title seven times.
Way back when I used to watch the Olympics. I don’t know if I’ll watch a single second of this one.
He’s just so absolutely adorable and amazing to watch skate. I had DH TIVO it for me so I can luxuriate in watching him over and over... :)
That red-headed snowboarder rubs me the wrong way, though. Reminds me of Carrot Top. I don’t get it, but my boys think he’s the cat’s meow. Maybe if I’d stop saying things like, ‘Cat’s Meow’ they’d think I was cool, too? LOL!
I’ll bet you remember this! Torville & Dean skate ‘Bolero’ and take home the Gold. A cop and an insurance agent in ‘real life’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zbbN4OL98
The olympics are great if you can get past listening to the idiot reporters and that “We Are the World” cr@p.
Shawn White, aka Animal, has grown on me, He's a kid who's revolutionized his sport, loves life, and has a youthful exuberance I find refreshing. His hair is absolutely gorgeous too!
This is all fluff....BRING ON CURLING !!!!!!!!!!
Curling....the other white-ice sport.
Olympic hockey is amazing to watch. None of the NHL style clutch and grab stuff.
That was a VERY exciting race....But I wish they would have honored the winner more...so, he wasn’t American...don’t you think he warranted one minute of airtime...from the way it was bring broadcast, you would have thought Ohno won the gold and that other kid the silver. Just give the winner his due. He worked just as hard.
Ohno is one of the very best speed skaters ever. But Eric Heiden he is not.
Not even close.
The winner had an ILLEGAL move on Ohno. Nothing to be honored. The judges are a bit afraid of the South Koreans.
Last Olympics they hacked into and shut down the Olympics computer system. They put threats on Ohno’s life, and are generally very bad sports.
They are beloved by no one but other Koreans.
Wasn’t Heiden a long track competitor, rather than short track?
Agree, the speed skaters are awesome to watch. I took skating lessons as an adult, always wished I’d learned as a kid but can’t imagine having the coordination and ability these guys and gals have. The notion of skating at 30+ mph is a thrill, even just to watch.
Ohno!
I love the Winter Olympics, but not this event. The officials can decide the winner.
LMAO !!!!!
Agree. The best part of the games !
Really? I had no idea, but having worked for Koreans, I am not surprised!
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