2010 Olympics-Vancouver

[skaterswaltz]

TEAM USA - DONATIONS

Hi mtnme - somewhere you had posted about doing a collective donation through the Rocker Fund for the Olympics Team but I can't seem to find it...

I was looking through the Team USA site last night and found this link for donations. They are even just asking for $5 (on your VISA card)...whatever anyone can give...and VISA will match your donation through July 4.

www.teamusa2010.org/DonateNowAnchor/tabid/552/Default.aspx

Their Team USA website:
www.teamusa.org/

GO TEAM USA!

[aaosmts19]

www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/articles/2009/07/02/us_team_to_wear_polo_again_at_olympic_ceremonies/


US team to wear Polo again at Olympic ceremonies

By Eddie Pells
AP National Writer / July 2, 2009

U.S. Olympic team is staying with the Polo look for the opening and closing ceremonies in Vancouver and London.

The U.S. Olympic Committee announced Thursday it was renewing its apparel deal with Ralph Lauren. The 2010 uniforms will be unveiled later this year.

The federation says the uniforms will "celebrate the rich history of the Olympic Games with a nod to the Lake Placid Games of 1932," with a classic uniform of red, white and blue.

This is not a cash deal for the USOC, which is trying hard to keep sponsors signed up through the 2012 Games and beyond. But the federation will get royalties from any retail sales of the items, and there is a bigger push at the USOC to sell parts of the uniform to the general public.

© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[gasp]

Lake Placid 1932? Exactly how long has Karl Lagerfeld been designing Olympic sports gear? HEHEHE

Makes you wonder if he liked that "historical" review that was used on Project Runway when Apolo appeared as a guest judge.

[skaterswaltz]

The new uniforms sound very classy and cool - can't wait to see them. I wonder if Apolo will model them on the Today Show again?

[aaosmts19]

May 18, 2009 1:51:18 GMT -5 bubblebuttsbabe said:

Not only did Team USA take promo shots for the Olys last week - they also filmed PSAS for the USOC. :]

- - - - - -

Source: www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.main&articleID=62482

- - - - - -

USOC plans fundraising spots
By TRIPP MICKLE
Staff writer
Published May 18, 2009 : Page 04

The U.S. Olympic Committee is planning to wrap itself in the red, white and blue of the July 4 holiday this year with a new marketing program that officials hope extends Team USA’s relevance beyond the 17-day window of the Olympic Games.

The program, America Supports Team USA, will run from Memorial Day through July 4 and will center on a series of public-service commercials featuring Olympians calling on Americans to donate to the USOC.


The spots will feature Olympic athletes in front of an American flag explaining what it takes to be an Olympian. Different athletes will say it takes speed, stamina, desire and other things before the commercial culminates by saying, “It takes you.”[/b]


.

Just found this on Youtube...sounds like it fits this description.
It has Apolo, Katherine, JR, Tucker Fredericks and Chad Hedrick (sheesh....where's Shani?).

Interesting that Shawn White isn't in it, either.

Enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuL-fv-HOvs

[skaterswaltz]

I think this is very exciting. The US Olympic Committee is going to launch it's own U.S. Olympic Network. It's scheduled to launch in 2010 and I hope it's up in time for the Winter Olympics. I hope (and I bet) Apolo is involved with this in some way. He's mentioned he really wants to be involved with the Olympic movement and create programs showcasing Olympic athletes somehow - this would be the perfect platform.

teamusa.org/news/article/14101

Here's a portion of the article:
---------------
USOC AND COMCAST PARTNER TO LAUNCH THE U.S. OLYMPIC NETWORK
July 9, 2009-The U. S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Comcast Corporation announced today that they have entered into an agreement to form the U.S. Olympic Network (USON), the first-ever cable television network devoted solely to the excitement, competition and values connected with the Olympic Movement.

Expected to launch in 2010, broadcasting year-round, and using multiple platforms, including television, video on demand and online, the USON will provide a window into the quests of American athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sports. Viewers will be able to watch live coverage of championship competitions and, after 2012, Olympic trial events in a wide range of sports, plus live, non-stop news reports, commentary, interviews from the locations of future Olympic and Paralympic Games, and classic Olympic footage through its exclusive U.S. access to thousands of hours of programming.

Additionally, the USON will provide video on demand content, enabling subscribers to watch their favorite Olympic athletes and their feats whenever they want. A broadband platform will also be established for Internet customers to experience the passion of the Olympic Games online with news, highlights, and event coverage. The transaction is subject to closing conditions.

"The U.S Olympic Network will be a dream come true for fans of the Olympic Games, delivering rich year-round content associated with the world's greatest sporting competitions," said Stephanie Streeter, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the USOC. "By bringing the stories, competitions and history of the Olympic Movement into American homes year-round, the USOC hopes to not only inspire a new generation of athletes but also to educate young people about the ideals and values of the Olympic movement. And, we believe strongly that the USON can also serve as a template that can be used in other parts of the world to expand access to the Olympic experience. Plus, the USON's unparalleled year-round exposure of the Olympic brand - already one of the world's most recognized and respected - will generate compelling opportunities for Olympic sponsors to expand their association with the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. At the same time, we believe it will enhance interest in and viewership of Olympic-related coverage on broadcast networks. We are excited to work with all of our partners, and everyone associated with the Olympic Movement, to establish the USON as the foremost full time channel for Olympic-related content."

Jeff Shell, President of Comcast Programming Group, said, "Comcast is pleased to partner with the United States Olympic Committee on the U.S. Olympic Network. Promoting the spirit of the Olympic Games in the homes of millions of Americans will support our athletes and bring more Olympic entertainment to our customers."

"We are excited to see this important development for the USOC," added Matt Van Houten, Chair, USOC Athletes' Advisory Council. "It will do great things for America's athletes by bringing them and the Olympic Movement into the public's awareness on a year-round basis, not just for a couple of weeks every two years."

USON is conceived as a network to support the public interest of furthering the Olympic Movement's international mission of promoting peace through the Games. The USOC intends to use a significant portion of its net proceeds from the network's operations to help fund the training of American athletes.

Allen & Company served as an advisor the USOC.

Programming

The USON will appeal to a broad demographic consistent with the country's strong interest in the Olympic Games. It intends to air programming that is appealing to a younger demographic interested in sports and pop culture, as well as the traditional Olympic fan base with a greater understanding and recollection of the historic significance of past Olympic Games.

USON will deliver compelling programming such as:

The USOC's major events, including those sponsored by National Governing Bodies of Olympic and Pan American sport organizations, and the exclusive rights to the U.S. Olympic Trials after 2012;

- Archive-based shows utilizing thousands of hours of existing Olympic content;
- Films, movies and documentaries;
- Original series;
-Instructional programming; and
- News and talk shows that feature the engaging personalities of Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls, and their quest to reach the pinnacles of their sports.

The USON, in addition to its cable and satellite presence, will integrate new media across all available platforms that will enable a strong personal connection between Team USA and Americans who will be inspired by their Olympic quest.

-------------------

[skaterswaltz]

Alaska Airlines Sponsors Apolo Ohno in His Race for Gold
Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:02am EDT


Five-time medalist poised to become most-decorated U.S. winter athlete


SEATTLE, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines announced today it
is sponsoring five-time Olympic athlete Apolo Ohno in his quest to compete and
make history on the world stage in Vancouver, British Columbia, in February
2010. The celebrated speed skater and hit reality TV show "Dancing with the
Stars" winner qualified last weekend to compete for the United States in
Vancouver.

"As one of the greatest U.S. short-track speed skaters of our generation and a
Northwest native, we feel Apolo Ohno is a natural fit with our airline," said
Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing, sales and customer
experience. "Apolo's humble upbringing and gold-medal performance resembles
the 'Alaska Spirit' that has helped us become the dominant U.S. West Coast
carrier and industry leader in customer service and on-time performance."

A native of the Seattle area, Ohno began his short-track speed-skating career
at age 14 in Seattle and Vancouver. From there, he went on to become the
youngest skater to win a World Cup event title in December 1999. Ohno has
since won 11 national champion, 18 world champion and five Olympic medals.

"My racing career started in Vancouver and that experience changed my life,"
Ohno said. "Coming back to my roots in the Pacific Northwest to compete for my
sixth medal is especially meaningful, and it is an honor to partner with my
hometown airline in the most important race of my life."

Ohno fans can "follow Apolo" by signing up on www.followapolo.com to receive
updates later this fall as he trains and competes. Fans may also visit the Web
site to send a question to Ohno.

The speed skater will compete in four qualifying World Cup competitions,
starting Sept. 17 in Beijing and ending Nov. 15, 2009, in Marquette, Mich.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together operate 13 flights a
day to Vancouver from several West Coast cities.


Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK),
together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the
Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power
and Associates 2008 and 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM).
For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit
the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.



SOURCE Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Media Relations, [phone]

www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS109172+15-Sep-2009+PRN20090915

[number1fan]

www.shorttrackhd.com/USTrials.html

from Tony Chung's blog...
Update 9/16/2009:

There seems to be a lot of emails asking about why the distance classification was used instead of the overall classification for the selection process in regards to the US team selection. I’m here to clarify this.

Let me be very clear about this: The distance classification has more importance because when it comes to the Olympics, you don’t win a medal for your overall classification.

Just because you win more events, does not mean you get a medal for top three overall. There is no top three for overall classification. It’s GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE in the 1500m, 1000m, 500m, and the relay. If there actually was an overall classification, Ahn Hyun-Soo and Jin Sun-Yu of South Korea would have gotten a fourth gold medal from Torino 2006 hands down. The format for the Olympics is entirely different.

Another thing I want to clarify is that the team selected at US Trials was only selected to go to the World Cups. They are NOT the final team going to the Olympics. It’s not winning a spot at Trials and BAM onto the Olympic team. It doesn’t work that way. The skaters selected are only nominated to skate the World Cups. Just as I explained during my coverage of the Canadian Trials, the skaters being sent will have to try to qualify for their individual spots in Montreal (World Cup 3) and Marquette (World Cup 4). Each country can still send six athletes in both genders, but in terms of the final Olympic team, that remains to be determined.

Each country can earn a MAXIMUM of three skaters for individual distances. There is NO minimum. From what I can understand, if let’s say the United States earns three skaters for ALL three distances, the breakdown as follows in order:

Men
500m – Apolo Ohno, Jordan Malone, Simon Cho
1000m – Apolo Ohno, Travis Jayner, JR Celski
1500m – Apolo Ohno, JR Celski, Jordan Malone

Women
500m – Alyson Dudek, Katherine Reutter, Lana Gehring
1000m – Katherine Reutter, Kimberly Derrick, Allison Baver
1500m – Katherine Reutter, Allison Baver, Kimberly Derrick

This is only if the United States qualifies for three skaters for all three distances. Let’s try a different scenario. Let’s say the United States only qualifies for….out of the extreme…ONE spot for all three distances. What happens now? Who gets to skate?

Men
500m – Apolo Ohno
1000m – Apolo Ohno
1500m – Apolo Ohno

Based on this scenario, Apolo Ohno is the only skater that gets to skate. Why? He gets to skate because he won the distance classification for all three distances. This is why distance classification is more important for US Trials selection. Therefore, he gets priority to skate above any other male skater. The rest of the guys don’t get to skate because United States didn’t qualify for more spots in those distances. If the US qualifies for a second spot in, let’s say, the 500m, then the second place skater from the 500m at Trials gets to skate. (Jordan Malone)

Women
500m – Alyson Dudek
1000m – Katherine Reutter
1500m – Katherine Reutter

For the women, only Alyson and Katherine get the skate. Alyson won the 500m overall, and Katherine won the 1000m + 1500m overall. Derrick, Baver, and Gehring would not skate at all.

In essence, the final Olympic team, based on this scenario, would only be Ohno, Dudek, and Reutter for individual distances. Oh and don’t forget the US needs to qualify for the relay too. Canada does not need to qualify for the relay since they are the host country.

I hope this helps people understand the process. After World Cups 3 and 4, we will know what spots the US has qualified for, and which skaters will actually get to skate their individual distances. Skating at the Olympics all rests in the hands of the skaters. If you thought US trials was competitive, just wait until you see World Cups 3 and 4. It’s LITERALLY going to be DO or DIE and I expect to see some high risk passing. I just pray that there are no injuries like we had at Trials.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

can't get anymore concise than this explanation! GREAT JOB AND THANKS TONY

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Jun 11, 2009 10:06:24 GMT -5 sk8er said:

I'm not surprised. When Seung Jai Lee took out Jonathan Guillemette at Worlds in 2004 Jonanthan never regained his former level of skating. You'll recall he suffered a spinal fracture and had surgery to put in steel rods. He only missed a few months of training and returned for the fall World Cups. I'd be surprised if Ahn could make ti to Sochi. Short track is really a young person's sport. By that I mean that it favors the speed and agility of the younger athletes. Still, if anyone could do it I think Ahn could. IMHO he was the best of his generation, bar none. SusanG

SUSANG, HE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!

Tony twittered that he was on the roster - along with a video of that race. I hadn't seen it until now and WOW! I freaked when I saw his skate push again Jonathan. I hope his skating has changed or else this WC is gonna be crazy. :/

[rinkydink]

Sept 16, 2009 18:42:46 GMT -5 number1fan said:

www.shorttrackhd.com/USTrials.html

from Tony Chung's blog...
Update 9/16/2009:
...Another thing I want to clarify is that the team selected at US Trials was only selected to go to the World Cups. They are NOT the final team going to the Olympics. It’s not winning a spot at Trials and BAM onto the Olympic team. It doesn’t work that way. The skaters selected are only nominated to skate the World Cups. Just as I explained during my coverage of the Canadian Trials, the skaters being sent will have to try to qualify for their individual spots in Montreal (World Cup 3) and Marquette (World Cup 4). Each country can still send six athletes in both genders, but in terms of the final Olympic team, that remains to be determined.

I think this is the big consequence of JR being out of these cups. Is there anyway that JR can miss World Cups 3&4 and still qualify for some individual distances?

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Sept 17, 2009 20:33:06 GMT -5 rinkydink said:

Sept 16, 2009 18:42:46 GMT -5 number1fan said:

www.shorttrackhd.com/USTrials.html

from Tony Chung's blog...
Update 9/16/2009:
...Another thing I want to clarify is that the team selected at US Trials was only selected to go to the World Cups. They are NOT the final team going to the Olympics. It’s not winning a spot at Trials and BAM onto the Olympic team. It doesn’t work that way. The skaters selected are only nominated to skate the World Cups. Just as I explained during my coverage of the Canadian Trials, the skaters being sent will have to try to qualify for their individual spots in Montreal (World Cup 3) and Marquette (World Cup 4). Each country can still send six athletes in both genders, but in terms of the final Olympic team, that remains to be determined.

I think this is the big consequence of JR being out of these cups. Is there anyway that JR can miss World Cups 3&4 and still qualify for some individual distances?

I don't think this is a consequence of JR being out of these cups because the rules were set before JR was injured. I do believe (having read the procedures over...) that JR will qualify his individual spots as long as the team skates well.

Individual spots are determined by the ranking of our individual skaters in each distance at the Oly Qualifiers (WC's 3 &4). Since we are given three (3) starting positions, the pressure relies on them. Them being Apolo, JR (Jeff), Jordan, Travis, and Simon (since they all qualified for an individual spot at the Trials). Anthony will be used for the relay (if the coaches decide to use him).

In order for JR to race at least one (1) individual spot in Vancouver, we need to qualify for two (2) individual spots at the Oly Qualifiers (WC's 3 & 4).

[tdav]

Yay! NBC has their Olympic rings displayed under their logo. I'm just may be weird, but I always look forward to that.

[aaosmts19]

www.jsonline.com/sports/etc/70163867.html

Ohno may bring new form to Vancouver
By Gary D’Amato of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Nov. 16, 2009

Marquette, Mich. — The top short-track speedskaters in the world will study tapes of Apolo Anton Ohno between now and the Winter Olympics in February, looking for tendencies and weaknesses in his skating.

Ohno will be doing the same thing, using race tape to analyze his rivals from Canada, Korea and China.

There's one big difference: Ohno will learn a lot about his opponents, and they won't learn much about him.

"I'm going to be a totally different skater at the Games than what they see here," Ohno said. "They can study these tapes all they want because I'm going to be a different person in two months. That's the plan."
Ohno wouldn't reveal details, but if he changes his skating style or race strategy - or both - it will be harder for his rivals to prepare for him. That's a scary thought considering Ohno, 27, has won five Olympic medals, including gold in the 1,500 meters in 2002 and gold in the 500 in '06.

On Sunday, the final day of World Cup No. 4 - the last major international short-track competition before the Olympics - Ohno won the gold medal in the men's 1,000 at the Berry Events Center on the Northern Michigan University campus.

He edged Korea's Jung-Su Lee by 0.03 of a second in the final, about half the length of a skate blade. Ohno's winning time was 1 minute 30.420 seconds.

Katherine Reutter of Champaign, Ill., also won silver in the women's 1,000, finishing just behind world record-holder Meng Wang of China. Meng's winning time was 1:31.005 and Reutter finished in 1:31.081.

Meng and Reutter finished 1-2 in the final World Cup classification for the 1,000 and will be podium favorites in Vancouver.

"Meng Wang is darn near undefeated in the 1,000 for the last two years," Reutter said. "I really wish I would have been more aggressive and gone for it more at the end. I skated a little bit too safe, but after yesterday (a fall in the 1,500), today was a safe day for me. I just wanted a good result."

Ohno didn't win any medals in the first two World Cups, then won a silver in the 500 in Montreal and added two medals in Marquette. He also won silver in the 1,500 on Saturday.

His plan was to race conservatively in the World Cups and gather information on his rivals, chief among them Charles Hamelin and Francois-Louis Tremblay of Canada and Koreans Si-Bak Song, Jung-Su Lee and Ho-Suk Lee.

"This was actually our plan from the beginning, just to show up and see where everybody's at," he said. "I know who can change their skating style and their skating technique between now and the Games and I know who can't."I've been in this sport in a long time, so I know who's going to bring what weapons to the Games."

And what weapons will Ohno bring?

"A rocket launcher, I hope," he said with a laugh.

Overall, it was a good week for the Americans, who clinched the maximum number of Olympic starting spots (three) in every individual race except the women's 500 (two) and qualified both relay teams.

Though the U.S. Olympians were determined in trials here in September, the team still had to qualify its Olympic starting spots via World Cup points.

The men's team qualified all its Olympic spots despite being at less than full strength, with alternates filling in for the injured Jordan Malone (knee) and J.R. Celski (leg laceration). Both are expected to be ready to compete in Vancouver.

"I think this is definitely one of the strongest teams we've ever had in terms of depth," Ohno said.

"I think we're actually in a pretty good position. If you're dominating right now, I think it's a little bit too early. I think we're in a good striking position." At least, that's how I feel."

[number1fan]

here are your 2010 Olympic Medals ~

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkQsXls7m0o&feature=player_embedded


sorry if this was already posted elsewhere

[number1fan]

i caught an NBC Olympic commercial promo this afternoon highlighting Lindsey, Apolo & Shaun.
the anticipation, excitement and realization that it's only a few months away...well, it just gave me goosebumps!!!


i'm still searching for the promo link i saw today...so here's a couple of vids to hold you over until i do!

NBC Olympic Network Coverage Promotion - Vancouver 2010
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlo0fMV8mI

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 Theme Song - "Winter Games" - song by Mirek Rosh
(not sure if this song is the OFFICIAL song)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgHKwPKt7uA

eta:
NBC Winter Olympics featuring Matisyahu's "One Day" - 60 sec
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4AA8-tXntI

2010 Winter Olympics Short Track Speedskating Preview - from Universal Sports (AAO & JR)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMoUxuWVl2M