|
|
Post by number1fan on Mar 2, 2010 16:41:54 GMT -5
dopeyrn...no spanking intended 
more  ...
1) records are made to be broken (that was all NBC hype)
2) JR will take this olympic experience and run with it  just think if he wasn't injured in september...imo, U.S. would've had a few more medals.
3) i totally felt bad for Ho-Suk....seems like he peaked too soon 
4) watch out for china...they'll be working the men's team real hard for sochi.
5) koreans may have the best training system right now, but they fell way short in their expectations.
6) i too hope Apolo doesn't turn too Hollywood...but hey, it's his life.
7) like susang said earlier...i thought Apolo skated amazing well.
8) st needs better referees. (my beef)
9) Apolo_USA...thanks for starting this topic 
|
|
|
|
Post by Apolo_USA on Mar 2, 2010 18:14:16 GMT -5
I'm thinking that this performance might just be enough to bring Apolo back for one more Olympics. Notice that the tweet that Simon Cho had posted about it being Apolo's last Olympics disappeared? I don't think that was a coincidence. If Apolo is as competitive as he says he is, not getting that one last gold might just eat at him enough to make him want to try to come back...maybe to finally conquer the 1000m?
I remember Ted Robinson talking about how this was the ONE event that Apolo didn't win at the Olympics...and, at least to me, it seems like it's his best event. So hopefully that will bring him back if he wants it.
|
|
|
|
Post by tdav on Mar 2, 2010 20:32:57 GMT -5
I don't know what he's going to do but I do know that it's wise for him to not say anything right away. I really want to see another Apolo/Ahn match-up (and since Ahn want's to skate until 2018!!! I don't think that's going to happen Ahn). I do know that it's probably Lee Ho-suk's last Olympics. He had such a crappy time; I feel bad for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by autumnsbliss on Mar 2, 2010 22:23:07 GMT -5
Wow, what a crazy Olympics (well, isn't most winter olympics crazy ). I think events vs medal count is such a hard ratio to rationalize what makes the person the best athlete. But I will say that he is one of the most (if not THE most) successful Short Track athlete of all time. Over half the events he was in the past 3 games he has medaled (would have been 100% for these game if not for that blasted DQ  ), if that doesn't say something about dominating a sport then I don't know what does. mellie, hit it right on the nail with comparing long track to short track. short track is an unpredictable sport where i quote "anything can happen". but long track has lanes and even though a slip or trip can happen its a big rarity. I think the next Olympics are going to be even more crazy then this years. China, Canada, and the US have made HUGE improvements with their programs and I see Koreas dominance slowly being taken over. JR, Simon Cho are going to be BEASTS, they are youngins who did AWESOME for their first time on the big stage. Once they get some more experience under their belt I see them breaking out in 2014. I also want to mention the AWESOMENESS of Katherine, I was reading a few blogs about which Olympians people want to see more of an Katherine got a few shout outs (totally loved her reaction when she won silver ;D). I too am speculating if Apolo isn't trying to wide up for one more go. His twitter said he has a surprise for Jay, plus I too have a feeling that he knows he still has the strength to give it one more games, and there is nothing harder then to walk away from a sport you dedicated so much into (think Michael Jordan, Brett Favre). He can still take a well deserve break for maybe a year to contemplate what he wants to do but it wouldn't surprise me if he went for it. As for the many other topics in this thread, I think most the ladies pretty much sum up my feelings as well. |
|
|
|
Post by mellie on Mar 2, 2010 23:14:51 GMT -5
I read this article and it goes with this topic.
Reasons why Apolo Anton Ohno is the best speed skater of all time
by Laura Robinson
When does an athlete cross the line? When does he stop becoming an Olympian and turns to becoming a Hero? When does he become someone we hope for with all our hearts? When is he someone we begin to feel connected to?
When that someone is Apolo Anton Ohno.
For years, we've watched him skate. We've watched him take gold nearly gracefully, or stumble and slide completely out of the ring. We've watched with sustained breath for the scores to roll across the screen. We've jumped from our couches in similar stance to his victory cheer, wide eyed and exuberant. We've held our heads when he fell behind, hearts racing in hope for regained ground. We've questioned scores, hounded the internet, stayed awake for hours on end to see the next laps, battled insomnia from the thrill of the race, and we've answered critics in shocked disbelief of their questions.
Why should it matter?
Because Apolo Anton Ohno is not just another Olympian. His very presence in the games speaks to our hearts.It is what sets Apolo apart from any other Olympian. We've heard tales of his younger life; The dark roads that he could have easily traveled. And we've heard of his determination to become "the best". That meant self-sacrifice, of course. It meant long hours training for the rest of his life. It meant hard work and determination and fiery resolve. It meant having fun, and making it a way of life. It involved looking back in appreciation of all the things he could have been. It engendered a deep gratitude to his father, who has supported him despite unique hardships that most Olympian parents do not have to face.
Apolo Ohno represents everything we want to be and everything we want to have. When he takes the ice, he carries our hopes with him. He is indeed an inspiration, a way of looking inside of ourselves for the champion we carry within. All of us face obstacles, and Apolo Ohno has taught us how to meet them: with aggression, with passion, with resolve, with determination, and with cheer.
Every athlete on the ice is either carrying respect or wary dread of Apolo Ohno. He has become the face of the Winter Olympics in America. He is an icon that no one else can touch. He is the symbol that every young athlete that follows him hopes to carry.
The human qualities-the graceful humility, the determination, the merriment, and above all, strength-those are the things everyone wants. That's what every Olympian desires! And Apolo Ohno has them all. He has taught us to try to dig deeper within ourselves and overcome whatever adversities we may be facing in our own lives. He inspires us to find the athlete inside of ourselves.
The medals have not made him a champion. The medals simply decorate the champion he has become. Apolo Ohno has become the best simply by being himself. He is the greatest Olympian of all time-and, in this writer's opinion, forever.
|
|
|
|
Post by justsayin on Mar 2, 2010 23:52:44 GMT -5
I was lucky enough to be there for the sessions on the 24th and the 26th. I can assure you that Apolo was in top form, ready to race and in his zone. He was amazing. That hurdle over the two fallen skaters in the 500 quarterfinal was a sight to see in person.
As he was leaving the ice, however, you could see him come out of that zone and what you saw was an obviously happy, content and serene guy. I don't think the records were his primary focus but when he set one, he celebrated like anyone would under the circumstances. It was, as he said, just icing on the cake...and we all know that icing is sweet!
In regards to the Koreans and their "dominance", I would point out that they earned 8 medals, the US earned 6 medals, Canada 5 and China 4. Korea had 2 golds and Canada had 2 golds. China had 4 golds. Somehow that seems too evenly distributed for "dominance".
One of the announcers mentioned during the 500 races that this was a distance that Korea did not "own". Including this year's Silver, they have only won 3 of a possible 15 Olympic medals at that distance since ST became an Olympic sport. That struck me as interesting.
In thinking about it, Canada's ST program has been criticized because they seem to produce only sprinters who excel in the 500. Korea seems to be the opposite. They train daily for the outside pass from behind in the 1000 and 1500. I think that they may fall into the same trap as Canada. They are excellent at that long outside pass from behind ,but , having been to or followed all the WC races of the last 2 1/2 years, that seems to be their "one note" strategy. In the 4 WCs this year, you could see the other teams starting to move defensively against that. Jordan Malone did it in the Chinese WC this year, for example to medal. The other skaters are now trying to keep the Koreans separated whenever they can to block that move.
As for Apolo "going Hollywood" or "getting too big for his britches"..... I don't personally think that he will but let's at least give it more than 2 days after the Olympics before throwing the poor guy under the bus.
PS, Extra point trivia question. If you add up the medals above you get 23 of the possible 24 Olympic medals won by 4 countries. Know who got that other one???
|
|
|
|
Post by autumnsbliss on Mar 3, 2010 1:03:58 GMT -5
Yep, Korea dominance in short track is starting to fade (though looking at wikipedia's medal count table throughout the years the only other country to between or tie Korea was China in '98 and '02). In Torino, Korea had 10, China 5, Canada 4, USA 3. This year is was pretty much the main 4 again but this time everyone was pretty equal (Korea narrowly winning by 2 medals). I would say US has probably has grown the most both men and women's squads gaining more depth. justsayin, i think you are exactly right on certain countries training strengths and how other countries trying to find ways to break through their methods of racing. I'm sure this is one of the many reasons they study tapes. Always finding ways to improve their passing, form, as well as the other competitors. As for Hollywood, if Apolo wants to try it out, I say go for it. He has so much going for him I'm sure its almost frustrating not knowing which path to take. He's dabbled with the Hollywood thing with DWTS, so he has just a small taste of what Hollywood might be like and handled it like a Pro. I wouldn't be too worried about him and Hollywood. Extra point, it was Fontana from Italy (no, I didn't cheat, I was watching the ladies like a hawk too ). Remembered her from Torino in 2006 when their relay took bronze. |
|
|
|
Post by tdav on Mar 3, 2010 1:10:17 GMT -5
Dominance meaning Korea is usually dominant in men's short track.
And, no, our relay team needs quite a bit of improvement.
|
|
|
|
Post by quietpirate on Mar 3, 2010 13:01:00 GMT -5
JR, Simon Cho are going to be BEASTS, they are youngins who did AWESOME for their first time on the big stage. Once they get some more experience under their belt I see them breaking out in 2014. I agree with this statement 100%. plus I too have a feeling that he knows he still has the strength to give it one more games, and there is nothing harder then to walk away from a sport you dedicated so much into (think Michael Jordan, Brett Favre). I agree with this statement also. Apolo is one of the greats in his sport just like Michael Jordan was for basketball and Brett Favre is for football. Each one of them has changed the game. |
|
|
|
Post by quietpirate on Mar 3, 2010 13:04:31 GMT -5
Great article Mellie. Thanks for sharing it.
|
|
|
|
Post by number1fan on Mar 3, 2010 13:19:19 GMT -5
Great article Mellie. Thanks for sharing it. ;D ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by badromance on Mar 3, 2010 15:39:09 GMT -5
I'm thinking that this performance might just be enough to bring Apolo back for one more Olympics. Notice that the tweet that Simon Cho had posted about it being Apolo's last Olympics disappeared? I don't think that was a coincidence. If Apolo is as competitive as he says he is, not getting that one last gold might just eat at him enough to make him want to try to come back...maybe to finally conquer the 1000m? I remember Ted Robinson talking about how this was the ONE event that Apolo didn't win at the Olympics...and, at least to me, it seems like it's his best event. So hopefully that will bring him back if he wants it. As much as I'd like to see him back, 31 is a little old, even for Apolo. The prime age is 24, no? He did already show some of his aging in these Olympic games at 27. I just think 31 is too far out to compete with the young kids. And about Celski owning in 2014... I believe he's said that he's not sure if he's coming back, because he does want to focus on his studies at Berkley. |
|
|
|
Post by tdav on Mar 4, 2010 0:33:12 GMT -5
Lol Ahn wants to skate in 2018 (for the sake of skating with his little brother). I don't think it'll happen but we'll see.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaosmts19 on Mar 4, 2010 17:00:43 GMT -5
Just my 2cents. The BIG DEAL for Apolo in this last Olympics was all about using the best that was available to him in terms of nutrition, personal training, and going into a bubble like a prize fighter. That was the draw. Stopping twittering at 5 and off the computer at 6, 4 training sessions a day; I'd assume with that timeframe that someone was cooking his special meals; massages, chiropractic, meditation, visualization, ice and hot baths. This was the most perfect journey that his money could by, and it must have cost him a bundle to have hired John for the last 3 years and have John move in with him in November. He was making himself into the perfect competitor. I think he was very pleased with what John Schaeffer and Jimmy did with him, and knew going into the games that this was the best shape he could ever conceivably be in his life. Why wouldn't he be happy?
In 2014, if he wanted to go back to try for a gold, he would have to go thru that all over again, and then figure out how to improve upon it to keep up with the youngun's.
Uh-uh, ladies and gentlemen, his competitive ST days are behind him, and he knows it. He's playing with us by not committing. Why not string people along (I mean that in the nicest way) and keep the suspense up.
Can you imagine him taking a few years off to do other things and coming back to start all over again? Yeah, Plushenko did it, but Apolo is chomping at the bit to get out and have some fun. And fun could mean the new foundation, the new company, working with youth and who knows what else.
I see Apolo's role in 2014 as.....move over Andy Gable...we got a cel-e-brity here to do othe color...and he draws attention!
I definitely think Apolo is all about molding Apolo into the next invention of himself.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaosmts19 on Mar 4, 2010 17:11:53 GMT -5
I think the thing that bothered me the most was after it was over, he never wore his medals; not at closing, not in some pics I saw where the other skaters have theirs on but he doesn't. Cocky? Not sure. Disinterested? Maybe. Looking forward to Leno show and the big announcement.... I'm not sure he said there was a big announcement, but rather a surprise, I believe the surprise was 8Zone supplements, which he gave Jay backstage. About not wearing the medals, maybe as he said "It wasn't about the medals as much as the effort?" I've seen some pics of him with the team at the USA house 'after party', and while he didn't have the medals on, he was plenty whoopin' it up. Get ready for the medal shots.....  |
|
