Apolo Anton Ohno to Speak

Apolo Anton Ohno, the eight-time Olympic medalist and most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history, will speak on "Finding Your Direction" on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma on Monday, April 19.

Ohno, a Seattle, Washingon native who began his career in short-track speed skating at the age of 14, will talk about his journey from being a rambunctious and rule-breaking teenager to becoming an Olympic gold medalist, and the philosophy instilled in him by his father that there are no shortcuts to success.

He also will discuss how he has embraced his identity as an Asian-American.

His talk, presented by the OSU Student Government Association's Speakers Board, will be at 8 p.m. in the Wes Watkins Center Auditorium.

The program is free for OSU students, faculty and staff with ID, and $5 for the general public, according to Stacey Brandhorst, chair of the Speaker's Board.

Seating is limited to 1,200 and is on a first-come basis. Doors to the event will open at 7 p.m.

In addition to his extraordinary Olympic career, he also is known by many as the winner of season three of "Dancing with the Stars," competing with partner Julianne Hough, a professional dancer and country singer.

"Apolo Ohno was selected to speak at OSU because of the power of his personal stories from his journey to becoming the most decorated winter Olympian in American history," said Brandhorst. "He has the ability to use his personal triumphs and failures to inspire students to seek out direction in their own lives, and to always give 100 percent effort in everything they do."

For more information call 580-302-0142.