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Post by gasp on Feb 13, 2009 17:34:23 GMT -5
NBC SPORTS QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Any athlete at this level and the elite level knows really when they should turn the light switch on and off. It's been on all summer.
”Apolo Ohno, Short track
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Post by susie on Feb 15, 2009 23:18:31 GMT -5
Here's a current interview with a few new twists and a super-cute quote at the end. Thanks to Spencersmom at AJ.com for the catch.
Ohno chooses skating over Hollywood, for now
Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:56pm EST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apolo Ohno's decision to set his sights on the Vancouver Winter Olympics and forego, at least for now, the glitter of Hollywood was not an easy one to make.
"I battled with that choice, no doubt," the short track speedskating overall world champion said.
Ohno's good looks, charisma and stage presence were in full view in Dancing with the Stars, a television show where celebrities compete in a weekly showdown of salsa and tango.
He went toe-to-toe against, among others, 'N Sync band member Joey Fatone, supermodel Paulina Porizkova and Paul McCartney's former wife Heather Mills, winning the crown and broadening his fame well beyond the skating rink.
Hollywood, however, could not lure Ohno away from next year's Vancouver Games despite the temptation of less stress, more money, and a glitzy, limousine lifestyle.
"I've gotten this far in my life having been blessed with these gifts to be able to speedskate," the affable 26-year-old American told Reuters in a recent telephone interview.
"My body is still healthy. I'm still young enough. If I go into directing, producing, acting -- whatever it is in the entertainment world -- those opportunities will be there when I'm done skating.
"Maybe they won't be there to the degree as some would like. But at this point in my life I want to focus on things that are important to me. I won't be skating five or 10 years from now."
BLAIR'S RECORD
Few things are as important right now than overtaking former speedskater Bonnie Blair as America's most decorated Winter Olympian with five golds and one bronze before her retirement in 1995.
Ohno, who won two medals, one of them gold, in Salt Lake City in 2002 and three, including another gold, in Turin in 2006, needs to reach the podium twice in Vancouver to set the new American standard.
"I'm going to try to get to the podium every chance I can," he said. "Obviously, if I can stand on the top of the podium, better yet. But if I can walk away from each race and say that that was my best, even if I don't win, I'll still be happy."
That is quite heady talk from someone who hung out with petty criminals as a youth outside Seattle. Ohno was raised by his Japanese-born father Yuki after his parents' marriage fell apart.
"I was like anyone else that the age, growing up near a city with a ton of energy," he said. "The only reason why I was able to keep myself out of trouble was because of sports.
"And my father pushed me toward that. I was very lucky."
Speedskating's rigorous training also helped change his body. The double Olympic gold medallist was not always the lithe 5-foot-8, 165-pound (74.8 kg) athlete he is today.
"I was a thick kid. Strong but very thick," he said with a laugh. "My friends gave me a lot of nicknames growing up. Chunkie was one of them."
Ohno was slow to dedicate himself to speedskating but once he did he became a natural for one of the Winter Games' most popular sports.
But he will be very selective on the speedskating circuit in 2009, feeling like a marked man.
Ohno explained: "Prior to 2006 I had a lot of very good finishes, in the top two or three consistently. But what I noticed was that a lot of countries were studying me and my technique.
"By the time I got to the Games, they had done a lot of research. So this year, we're going to play it low-key, do well when I need to. But mostly try out new strategies."
POSTER BOY
Ohno is today's poster boy for speedskating, someone younger competitors can emulate.
"This sport has allowed me to become a role model without even knowing it," said Ohno, who has been on the national team for 13 years. "To me, that's amazing because I really didn't have that within the sport growing up.
"I had to look to others outside the sport, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Lance Armstrong."
While Ohno's competitors keep a close eye on him any chance they get, the American public usually sees him only once every four years. That all changed with Dancing with the Stars which Ohno won in 2007 along with professional partner Julianne Hough.
"The show was so wildly popular it was insane," said Ohno. "Who would have known? It was incredible. My recognizability went through the roof. Even now. It's actually funny."
Despite Hollywood knocking at his door, Ohno is not dismissing a shot at the 2014 Games in Sochi in Russia.
"At this point, I'm taking it day-by-day, race-by-race, year-by-year," he said. "My first focus is Vancouver. It's going to be spectacular and close to my home.
"If I go to Sochi, I'll be 31. Who knows? They say 30 is the new 20, right?"
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sk8er
Full Member
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Post by sk8er on Feb 15, 2009 23:33:46 GMT -5
Thanks Susie for the article. That really gave me a lot of insight about what's been going on with Apolo this year. So, they were watching him to probe his strengths and weaknesses before 2006? Well, he's just not gonna let 'em see what he can really do this year! Except for Worlds. Watch out Worlds. That's the only time he'll show his hand before the Olympics.
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Post by debbief on Feb 15, 2009 23:40:16 GMT -5
Great article!
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Post by number1fan on Feb 16, 2009 5:29:05 GMT -5
Ohno chooses skating over Hollywood, for now
By Steve Ginsburg Steve Ginsburg – Sun Feb 15, 9:56 pm ET
Reuters – Apolo Ohno (R) of the U.S. crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 500 metres short track speed …
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Apolo Ohno's decision to set his sights on the Vancouver Winter Olympics and forego, at least for now, the glitter of Hollywood was not an easy one to make.
"I battled with that choice, no doubt," the short track speedskating overall world champion said.
Ohno's good looks, charisma and stage presence were in full view in Dancing with the Stars, a television show where celebrities compete in a weekly showdown of salsa and tango.
He went toe-to-toe against, among others, 'N Sync band member Joey Fatone, supermodel Paulina Porizkova and Paul McCartney's former wife Heather Mills, winning the crown and broadening his fame well beyond the skating rink.
Hollywood, however, could not lure Ohno away from next year's Vancouver Games despite the temptation of less stress, more money, and a glitzy, limousine lifestyle.
"I've gotten this far in my life having been blessed with these gifts to be able to speedskate," the affable 26-year-old American told Reuters in a recent telephone interview.
"My body is still healthy. I'm still young enough. If I go into directing, producing, acting -- whatever it is in the entertainment world -- those opportunities will be there when I'm done skating.
"Maybe they won't be there to the degree as some would like. But at this point in my life I want to focus on things that are important to me. I won't be skating five or 10 years from now."
BLAIR'S RECORD
Few things are as important right now than overtaking former speedskater Bonnie Blair as America's most decorated Winter Olympian with five golds and one bronze before her retirement in 1995.
Ohno, who won two medals, one of them gold, in Salt Lake City in 2002 and three, including another gold, in Turin in 2006, needs to reach the podium twice in Vancouver to set the new American standard.
"I'm going to try to get to the podium every chance I can," he said. "Obviously, if I can stand on the top of the podium, better yet. But if I can walk away from each race and say that that was my best, even if I don't win, I'll still be happy."
That is quite heady talk from someone who hung out with petty criminals as a youth outside Seattle. Ohno was raised by his Japanese-born father Yuki after his parents' marriage fell apart.
"I was like anyone else that the age, growing up near a city with a ton of energy," he said. "The only reason why I was able to keep myself out of trouble was because of sports.
"And my father pushed me toward that. I was very lucky."
Speedskating's rigorous training also helped change his body. The double Olympic gold medallist was not always the lithe 5-foot-8, 165-pound (74.8 kg) athlete he is today. 
"I was a thick kid. Strong but very thick," he said with a laugh. "My friends gave me a lot of nicknames growing up. Chunkie was one of them."
Ohno was slow to dedicate himself to speedskating but once he did he became a natural for one of the Winter Games' most popular sports.
But he will be very selective on the speedskating circuit in 2009, feeling like a marked man.
Ohno explained: "Prior to 2006 I had a lot of very good finishes, in the top two or three consistently. But what I noticed was that a lot of countries were studying me and my technique.
"By the time I got to the Games, they had done a lot of research. So this year, we're going to play it low-key, do well when I need to. But mostly try out new strategies."
POSTER BOY
Ohno is today's poster boy for speedskating, someone younger competitors can emulate.
"This sport has allowed me to become a role model without even knowing it," said Ohno, who has been on the national team for 13 years. "To me, that's amazing because I really didn't have that within the sport growing up.
"I had to look to others outside the sport, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Lance Armstrong."
While Ohno's competitors keep a close eye on him any chance they get, the American public usually sees him only once every four years. That all changed with Dancing with the Stars which Ohno won in 2007 along with professional partner Julianne Hough.
"The show was so wildly popular it was insane," said Ohno. "Who would have known? It was incredible. My recognizability went through the roof. Even now. It's actually funny."
Despite Hollywood knocking at his door, Ohno is not dismissing a shot at the 2014 Games in Sochi in Russia.
"At this point, I'm taking it day-by-day, race-by-race, year-by-year," he said. "My first focus is Vancouver. It's going to be spectacular and close to my home.
"If I go to Sochi, I'll be 31. Who knows? They say 30 is the new 20, right?"
(Editing by Dave Thompson) ?
hmmm...we know some of the info has not been updated 
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Post by aaosmts19 on Feb 16, 2009 7:55:25 GMT -5
But he will be very selective on the speedskating circuit in 2009, feeling like a marked man.
Ohno explained: "Prior to 2006 I had a lot of very good finishes, in the top two or three consistently. But what I noticed was that a lot of countries were studying me and my technique.
"By the time I got to the Games, they had done a lot of research. So this year, we're going to play it low-key, do well when I need to. But mostly try out new strategies."
------------------------------------
Hm....so much for "skate problems"?
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Post by laura6 on Feb 16, 2009 8:01:33 GMT -5
But he will be very selective on the speedskating circuit in 2009, feeling like a marked man. Ohno explained: "Prior to 2006 I had a lot of very good finishes, in the top two or three consistently. But what I noticed was that a lot of countries were studying me and my technique. "By the time I got to the Games, they had done a lot of research. So this year, we're going to play it low-key, do well when I need to. But mostly try out new strategies." ------------------------------------ Hm....so much for "skate problems"? I agree I think he has been singled out since 02..its a shame he has to have that to worry about. |
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Post by aaosmts19 on Feb 16, 2009 10:15:06 GMT -5
And in fact, he has said before that he has a bulls-eye on his back. This is nothing new for him.
Remember too, that he is doing his best to scoop out the opposition. It's all part of trying to get the edge (no pun intended).
We should try to dig out that video of him done last spring/early summer where he talks about trying to find out every eensie-weensie thing on the competition: w hat they like to eat, who they are dating, what type of training do they love/hate the worst, etc.
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Post by susie on Feb 16, 2009 12:50:50 GMT -5
Here's an article discussing Apolo's pursuit of potential sponsorships. I have to wonder if it's part of the reason he stayed behind in SLC while the team was on the road. Credit to Ohnofan at AJ.com for the find.
Sport Business Journal
Sponsors still firming up activation plans
By JAY WEINER
Correspondent
Published February 16, 2009 : Page 19
With a year to go, some long-term sponsors seem to be relying on tried and true activations of Olympics past, while others wait to negotiate new deals or find their niche.
From Coke, which once again will co-sponsor the Olympic torch run, to McDonald’s, which will feed athletes in their villages, to GE, which will show off its technology, key TOP sponsors are beginning to roll out their Vancouver 2010 plans.
Others, such as U.S. Olympic Committee sponsor Budweiser, are still in the planning stages. Bud needs to be mindful that Molson is the official beer supplier of the Vancouver Organizing Committee.
Others still are in a holding pattern. Bank of America is in sponsorship renewal talks with the USOC at a tough time for banks and the Olympic committee. BofA’s deal expired at the end of 2008. “Discussion and consideration around activation has been put off until we finalize the renewal,” said BofA corporate spokesman Joe Goode.
Much of the on-the-ground preparation is being made out of corporations’ Canada headquarters, and sponsors are aligning some of their Olympic programs with Canadian national considerations.
Coke will once again co-sponsor the Olympic torch run, but this time is offering Canadians a chance to participate. Coke has teamed with Canadian nonprofit ParticipAction, which promotes physical activity, in a program “embracing the Olympic spirit, active living and sustainability,” said Coke Canada spokesman David Moran.
The torch run aligns with that, Moran said. The program to participate in the torch run has already begun, with online, TV and point-of-sale support.
As for the effects of the economy on any activation plans, Moran said, “The Olympic platform is our primary business opportunity for ’09. It’s not an add-on marketing initiative. We look at the Olympics as a growth opportunity.”
Coke also plans a product-promoting and party pavilion in downtown Vancouver.
GE Canada helped raise more than $2 million for Canadian Olympic athletes through a series of culinary events it has sponsored called “Gold Medal Plates.” As GE did in Beijing, the company also is showing off its large, infrastructure-focused technology.
Among its most noticeable showcase: a rooftop water filtration system installed in the Vancouver Convention Center, which will be the home of the Main Press Center and International Broadcast Center next year.
A more public facility — a new ice rink in downtown Vancouver — will be branded GE Plaza and be a focal point during the Games and after.
McDonald’s is reprising successful programs. The fast-food chain will once again feed athletes in the Olympic Villages in Vancouver and Whistler and the media at the Main Press Center. There will be various activations — specifics unknown — at the more than 40 McDonald’s restaurants in the Olympic zone.
McDonald’s Champion Kids also has been renewed, in which children from around the world are brought to Vancouver to meet athletes and attend events. There will be special menu items in Canada and TV commercials to support the sponsorship.
As activation plans among corporate partners continue to get firmed up, there’s no avoiding the challenging landscape sponsors face a year out from Vancouver. Companies are clearly watching their spending.
Even short-track speedskater and five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno is having a tough time finding deals. He was in negotiations with six companies last week, but one of the nation’s best known winter sport athletes said he had no pre-Olympic sponsorships in hand.
“I think I’d be a fool to say that I wasn’t affected by what’s going on globally,” Ohno said. “I think it’s pretty clear there are many, many, many corporations and companies looking for ways to cut back on their marketing expenses.
“With that being said, there’s always going to be an interest in the Olympic Games.”
Jay Weiner is a writer in Minnesota.
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Post by laura6 on Feb 16, 2009 13:01:16 GMT -5
Great article Susie!
Although any article about Apolo is great!! ;D
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Post by sk8on on Feb 16, 2009 19:13:03 GMT -5
number1fan, thank you for posting that article. I remember Apolo making a similar statement months ago. This just further reinforces that a lot of the decisions for this season have been a strategy looking ahead to 2010. Sounds like we may be seeing more of Apolo once he finishes competing  |
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Post by number1fan on Feb 16, 2009 19:41:48 GMT -5
number1fan, thank you for posting that article. I remember Apolo making a similar statement months ago. This just further reinforces that a lot of the decisions for this season have been a strategy looking ahead to 2010. 
i was thinking to avoid severe injuries (like allison's recent) the u.s. team should think twice about entering events that do not have their safety requirements up to our standards.Sounds like we may be seeing more of Apolo once he finishes competing  |
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Feb 17, 2009 5:30:20 GMT -5
i wonder if some of his strategies have led to his skate problems (as they are in fact real)?
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Post by number1fan on Feb 17, 2009 12:42:19 GMT -5
i wonder if some of his strategies have led to his skate problems (as they are in fact real)? |
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Post by bubblebuttsbabe on Feb 17, 2009 19:35:08 GMT -5
i wonder if some of his strategies have led to his skate problems (as they are in fact real)? i really wish they would have started this earlier - like maybe last year - not the year before an olys. that makes everything so much more stressful. plus, he would have had everyone that had the potential to make an oly team (like ahn) so he would have known his chances. but alas, i am not a coach, so hopefully they have this all figured out already. :] |
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