Apolo Ohno, the Greatest American Winter Olympics Hero
~ In 1997, Ohno failed to make the US Junior World team.
~ At his first World Championships in 1997, Ohno finished 19th
~ 1998 at the Nagano Winter Olympics, Ohno finished last in Olympic trials and failed to qualify for the team.
His failure at the 1998 Olympic trials seemed a turning point for Ohno. Four years later in the 2002 Olympics, Ohno would not only make the team, he would medal in two events, a silver in the 1,000m, and gold in the 1,500m. Four years after that, Ohno would find success at the Olympics again, this time winning three medals, a gold and two bronze. Now, in what could be his final Olympics, Ohno came into the 2010 games, with a chance to make history.
The American skater wasted no time securing medals, scoring a silver in his first race, the 1500m. The silver was his 6th medal, which tied Ohno with Bonnie Blair, for most Olympic medals in the Winter Games by an American. When Ohno won bronze, in the 1000m, he became the most decorated American to compete in the Winter Olympics. His final medal, a bronze in the 5,000m relay was rewarding for Ohno, because it came from a team effort. "This is very important for me," Ohno said, referring to his eighth medal. "I train with these guys year-round. They pour their heart and soul into this sport as well. I want to be able to share a medal with these guys and we did. We delivered."
The new record holder isn't letting all the attention go to his head. "I consider myself an athlete on my third Olympic Games, working my heart out. My goal was to come out and put my heart and soul into the Olympic Games and I've done that." Yes, you have Apolo Ohno and we feel privileged to have watched you.
Sources:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-features/news/newsid=450230.html
http://www.tonic.com/article/apolo-ohno-winter-olympic-history/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolo_Ohno
Published by Vonda Menard
MFA in Professional Writing. My script, Return ot Darfur was performed in New York. Working hard to get this film made. Mother of two wonderful boys. Ultimate sports fan. Favorite sports football and ba... View profile
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- Failing to qualify for the 1998 Winter Olympics seemed a turning point for Ohno.
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