A look at American Speed Skater Apolo Ohno
Apolo Ohno is an American athlete that has been speed skating since the age of 13. But some may not recognize him as a speed skater, so much as a dancer. From 2007-2009 you would have seen Ohno dancing up the stage with his partner Shawn Johnson on the popular reality television series “Dancing with the Stars.” Apolo’s love and passion for speed skating however has made him a prime competitor for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and with his dancing skills a favorite amongst the ladies to say the least.
Ohno was born and raised by his father in Seattle Washington, where his passion for swimming and in-line skating eventually led him to speed skating. He was a national champion in in-line skating, and received a state championship for the breaststroke in swimming. At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Ohno won the gold for the 1,500 meter race, after his South Korean opponent Kim Dung-Sung was disqualified. After this accomplishment however, Ohno became the greatest enemy of the state and began receiving death threats. This caused him to decline an invitation in the short track event in Seoul. Two years later in Seoul he won two races in the World Cup event.
But Ohno has 2 Olympic gold medals under his belt: one for the 1,500 meter race in 2002, and one for the 500 m race in 2006. And there is no doubt that he won’t stop here. You can be sure to see him in the line-up of competitors in February at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver Canada. Being a lot closer to home I’m sure you will be able to hear his entourage of fans sporting his signature trade mark bandanas, and cheering on Chunkie - a nickname that stuck with him since he was a child.
