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Post by susie on Jun 23, 2008 22:00:59 GMT -5
I thought that I'd open a thread for what will surely be a hot topic in another month or so.  Having lived for a number of years at the OTC in Colorado Springs, Apolo probably has no end of friends and acquaintances hoping for coveted spots on the U.S. Olympic team this summer. You may remember triathlete Mark Fretta, who was one of the friends who supported Apolo when he appeared on "Dancing With The Stars". www.ohnozone.net/archives/dancing_with_the_stars/ (Scroll down to the May 16, 2007 entry.)  I'm sorry to report that Mark did not make this year's Olympic team.  His final chance to qualify was at last weekend's Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa -- an event that was plagued by problems ranging from complications due to the recent flooding in the midwest, to a most unfortunate drowning of a man competing in the amateur portion of the event. Mark had a DNF, having not competed in the running portion of the event. He's put forth a valiant effort in trying to make his dreams come true. Read here for more details about his amazing career: triathlon.usoc.org/athlete/athlete/980 |
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Post by susie on Jun 23, 2008 22:36:47 GMT -5
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Post by lilyover76 on Jun 23, 2008 22:37:56 GMT -5
I was told (by a relative) that Apolo 'hung out' with more than one of the summer Olympic hopefuls, since some of them, like Giddeon, were training in Southern Cal, during the same time as Apolo's appearance at the DWTS 100th episode show.  |
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Post by A.O.Freak on Jun 23, 2008 23:01:26 GMT -5
Another friend of Apolo's, 2004 Olympian track cyclist Giddeon Massie has secured a spot on the three-man sprint team for Beijing. He did an awesome job at the American Velodrome Challenge this past weekend! The final Beijing team announcement for track cycling will be on July 1st -- we'll have to keep our eye out to see if Giddeon will be competing in any other capacity.       Click here for a pic of Apolo and Giddeon's dad Mike watching Giddeon race: www.cyclingnews.com/track.php?id=/photos/2007/jun07/lehigh07/070615-Velo-KeirinCup-001 Giddeon Massie is gorgous..he should be a future DWTS contestant  |
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Post by susie on Jun 23, 2008 23:42:42 GMT -5
Here's another guy he may have hung out with, Lily! Apolo's badminton buddy, Orange County resident Howard Bach has been named to the 2008 U.S. badminton team for Beijing. He will be competing in men's doubles with Bob Malaythong and in mixed doubles with Eva Lee. Howard once said of Apolo, "I know he loves badminton because he used to go play after his workouts." (Aww, Howard, where are the photos?  ) Howard says, "I know what I want at the Olympics...I want to medal. In 2004, I was just happy to be there." Read his completely inspiring story here: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/24/SP9O10JI5B.DTL  Some of you may remember that Apolo showed up at one of Howard's matches back in 2006. On a badminton blog, one fan wrote, "[Apolo] was there throughout the whole time from Sat thru Sun in the audiance. He is very friendly ..... i took some pics with him.. In fact, he also played some badminton against Raju on Sun afternoon. He looks pretty good .... fast and quick, has some pretty good skills too. I hope he will become badminton ambassador too..." Another fan wrote, "Ohno didn't sit on the bleachers much... he mostly hung on the side of the bleachers with Howard Bach and Eric Go. Saw him hit a birdie up against the wall for a few mins." Reference: badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23918&page=6Below: Apolo chats with Raju Rai and Howard.  Right: Apolo chats with Raju Rai and Eric Go.   |
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Post by lilyover76 on Jun 23, 2008 23:51:59 GMT -5
Yep, Susie... you got that right. Great photos too! The Orange (County) Badminton Center is near a friend's home. I'm told that Apolo IS a 'tough' badminton player... no surprise there, right???  Good luck to all the Summer Games Olympians! ;D |
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Post by tabatha on Jun 24, 2008 0:01:02 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this thread Susie. I have to admit though, I'm more into the winter games.  speed skating, hockey, anything to do with ice/snow. I also like watching the skiing. (did I spell that right?) But this year I'm looking foward to the summer games.  Gonna keep my eyes on the swimmers. |
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Post by mtnme on Jun 24, 2008 1:20:28 GMT -5
I'm not as much a summer Olympics fan as a winter Olympics fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the women's gymnastics Olympic trials on Sunday. Talk about some tough cookies! Just the sound of their feet and legs pounding the floor on those tumbling runs made me wince! LOL. It's no wonder several of them were completely taped and bandaged. But you would never know the pain they were in by their performance - they were all heart. Truly amazing to watch. And Thanks Susie for all those pics and articles of Apolo's Summer Olympic friends. Go Team USA! ;D |
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Post by evie5 on Jun 24, 2008 6:22:29 GMT -5
Thanks for starting this thread and the great info, Susie. I love the Olympics...Summer, Winter, it doesn't matter. I love the stories of the athletes and what they are willing to go through for a chance to compete.
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Post by lisam on Jun 24, 2008 11:28:06 GMT -5
Thanks Susie for starting this thread. I'm more of a Winter Olympics person too but I do enjoy watching gymnastics. Sometimes I can get into other sports such as swimming and track. Do you think Apolo will be there in Beijing watching his friends compete? Here's some info about the USA girls gymnastics team, 2 are already picked. gymnastics.about.com/od/majorcompetitions/a/MakeOlympics.htm |
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Post by lilyover76 on Jun 24, 2008 12:01:35 GMT -5
I'm not as much a summer Olympics fan as a winter Olympics fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching the women's gymnastics Olympic trials on Sunday. Talk about some tough cookies! Just the sound of their feet and legs pounding the floor on those tumbling runs made me wince! LOL. It's no wonder several of them were completely taped and bandaged. But you would never know the pain they were in by their performance - they were all heart. I, too, am more of a winter Olympics fan, always followed all the skiing events, also the figure skating events. Then Apolo entered the scene! Gymnastics was the main reason for me to watch the summer games, since our daughter (mother of the Special Olympian) was on the high school gymnastics team. Yes, Mtnme, there is a lot of pain involved in this sport... our daughter had strained muscles and finally an ACL (ligament) tear, involving major surgery. Daughter loved the sport so much that she went on to be a judge for the San Diego county 'gymnastics meets', even while she was still hobbling around on crutches! (I drove her to the 'meets'.) |
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Post by wags on Jun 24, 2008 20:45:01 GMT -5
I, too, want to thank susie for starting this thread. I also love the Olympics at any time of year. I do tend to enjoy more of the winter events, but I'm really looking forward to 8/8/08. I almost took a few days of vacation just to watch but decided that's what a DVR is for.
I watched the diving and gymnastics this past weekend. I got real excited when I heard the dive team hopefuls are coming to Knoxville in two weeks. Until I found out it isn't open to the public. I already had a bag packed. (just a 2.5 hour drive for me) Oh well.
I've also been hearing a lot about a 15(?) year old from the Midwest that is supposed to be a real threat in wrestling. (sound familiar?)
Oh....about Giddeon Massey....woooo hoooo!
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Post by sk8on on Jun 25, 2008 11:45:00 GMT -5
Susie, great idea to start this thread. Here is another Q & A session with Howard Bach from March with a bit of an Apolo mention: www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2008-03-19-badminton-qanda-bach_N.htmwags, I too watched the diving Trials (rooting on Laura Wilkinson who made her third Olympic Games), but missed the gymnastics...I haven't gotten into gymnastics as much though since Shannon Miller retired. and, wags, I wonder if the young wrestler you are referring to is Jake Deitchler. He is 18 and apparently the first high school student to be on the Olympic wrestling team in over 30 years. sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3444328Not the greatest quality, but here's a YouTube video of him at the Trials. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cer8XG7u7eQ |
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Post by susie on Jun 25, 2008 22:56:00 GMT -5
Apolo, the World Champion This photo was taken in Asia, in March, 2008, most likely in Korea during or just after the World Championships. Apolo is feeling the Olympic spirit, are you?  |
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Post by A.O.Freak on Jun 25, 2008 22:57:25 GMT -5
Apolo, the World Champion This photo was taken in Asia, in March, 2008, most likely in Korea during or just after the World Championships. Apolo is feeling the Olympic spirit, are you? Love the pic Susie ,Thnx  |
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His final chance to qualify was at last weekend's Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa -- an event that was plagued by problems ranging from complications due to the recent flooding in the midwest, to a most unfortunate drowning of a man competing in the amateur portion of the event. Mark had a DNF, having not competed in the running portion of the event. He's put forth a valiant effort in trying to make his dreams come true. Read here for more details about his amazing career:
