Apolo articles

[aao2010]

Don't know if this has been posted or if it is even in the right place........if not please move

Apolo and Gretchen Bleiler in a Coca-Cola Commercial asking the public to nominate exceptional teens to be torchbearers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3hS7yVEFI

Coca-Cola is looking for 10 teens who you think live positively to carry the Olympic Flame during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay and they are asking consumers to help find them. Go online to www.livepositively.com by May 31, 2009 to nominate a teen who you think inspires positive living and would be a great Torchbearer.

Credit to Sirena5281 @ A/J

[apolostarr]

'It's the biggest challenge of my life'


Video Link Here

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The dancing fame, the gold medals, the motivational speaking -- at the gym, it all seems like a lifetime away.

That's where Apolo Ohno goes about the not-so-glamorous business of grinding his body to greatness.

"Champions are made when nobody's looking," Ohno said. "The public only gets to see me once every four years. They don't realize I've been doing this six, 12 hours a day, every day for the past four years, eight years, 12 years of my life."


Watch Ohno's workout routine

They are long days riding thin blades on a short track for a champion hell-bent on willing himself back to the top one last time.

He's been to the top of the mountain a few times. Can he go again? Can he do it?

"Oh, of course," his coach said. "Of course. No problem."

"I can say there are days when I say, 'Man, this does not feel good. I'm hurting.' But I know why I'm still doing this sport. I know why I'm continuously training every single day, and my heart's still in it. I still love it. It's the biggest challenge of my life."

But a record sixth Winter Olympics medal won't be carved only on ice; it'll be sucked up and gutted out in the gym where the 26-year old champion puts himself through leg workouts that make the rest of us go weak in the knees.

And when you start to wonder how it is that he's even still standing, he turns up the intensity with his leg jumping exercises. You start to realize why this man's dreams always seem to come true. He wants it more.

"The sky's the limit, man. Break all boundaries," Ohno said.

He follows "Dancing with the Stars" when he can, and even made an appearance on the show Monday night. We showed him a video postcard from his old partner, Julianne Hough.

"I love Apolo. I miss him so much," she said. "Honestly, no offense to Chuck (Wicks), but he was my favorite partner, I think."


Watch Ohno's full interview
"That's sweet of her to say," Ohno said.

And she was dancing with her boyfriend!

"I know, and he was very good," said Ohno.

Maybe after she gets past her cowboy singer, she'll come back to Ohno, back to her roots.

"You know, I keep telling her we need to host our own show, like the young 'Regis and Kelly.' She says, 'I'll do it, I'll do it. And I'm like, 'Yeah, we'll see,"' he said. "It'd be fun."

But for now, he's in Salt Lake City to crank up the machine one last time, to get his head right, to light a fire in his belly.

"When the curtain is down and nobody's looking, that's when I'm here. That's when I'm working hard. That's when I'm outside when it's snowing and nobody else is working out. And that's what I enjoy."

Videos:
www.komonews.com/home/video/45451717.html
www.komonews.com/home/video/45452267.html

[mtnme]

Oddly enough, I was looking for a Canadian ST skater's name, and this popped up. This is a report from Yano (who I've never met, but recognize the name from the annals of OZ) during the early days of Apolo fandom after the SLC Olympics. A nostalgic read, and even includes a picture of Sk8er (Susan G.)

Now my next question...where's the interview and film she was talking about? LOL

www.yanowhatimean.com/blog/slc_memoirs.htm

[sk8er]

They never made made the film. Personally I think Christine is holding on to this stuff so she can auction it off for college money for her boy! (He's about 3 now). Susan G

[Lori]

I miss Yano.

[gasp]

What a great find. Loved the interviewer/fan perspecctive. Three cheers for all involved even though the actual film didn't make it. Susan G: She can start the auction NOW and invest the money.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

LOL. How funny. I never remember reading that. I miss her too. :]

[mtnme]

Jun 2, 2009 19:17:22 GMT -5 sk8er said:

They never made made the film. Personally I think Christine is holding on to this stuff so she can auction it off for college money for her boy! (He's about 3 now). Susan G

LOL. She's probably holding out until after the next Olympics. Apolo will beat that 'most winter Olympic medals won' mark, and that footage will be worth 'Beaucoup Dinero' to anyone who wants to do a documentary on 'the journey' - in its entirety.

[gasp]

The top ranked eight men and women on the National Team out of Salt Lake City are coming as a lead-in to the Olympic Trials.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 4:18 p.m.


MARQUETTE -- The country's top speed skaters are heading to Marquette this weekend for the National Speed Skating Camp.

The top ranked eight men and women on the National Team out of Salt Lake City are coming as a lead-in to the Olympic Trials, which are being held in Marquette this September.

Officials say it gives the athletes a chance to check out the facility and the ice at the Berry Events Center.

And they're also going to do some training, and expect all the big names to make an appearance.

"I believe Apolo Antone Ono will be here. JR Celski is also one of the top ranked guys. As for the ladies, Katherine Ruetter is one of the top ranked ladies," says Tricia Stennes, the USOEC Speed Skating Coach.

The skaters will be in the UP for ten days.

[sk8on]

Mingay, Ohno became pals in Marquette
By BILL HARRIS Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: June 29, 2009

MARQUETTE - Marquette native Camilla Mingay was a part of the audience in Hollywood when Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough won season four of "Dancing With the Stars."

Since she had a pretty big hand in getting Ohno started in the dancing world, she had every right to be there.

Ohno, an Olympic gold medalist short-track speedskater, was training in Marquette when he got the call about being on the show, and stopped into the Second Skin Shop to find some guidance.

"Somebody recommended her," Ohno said of Mingay. "Her parents own a dance clothing shop, and I needed some dance shoes, so I went there and was like, 'Hey, do you guys teach dance lessons?' And that's how we met."

Mingay said that it was a chance meeting, and that once Ohno had the ballroom dancing shoes that he needed to practice for the show, she showed him a couple of moves.

"I just happened to be the one that gave him his first dance lessons," Mingay said.

When asked if she helped Ohno win "Dancing With the Stars," she smiled said, "A little bit. I gave him a little hint of what to expect."

While she was at the show, Mingay said she met one of Ohno's managers, and found out that Ohno was beginning to look for a photographer, but that he wasn't sure yet if he wanted to spend the money on one. Because she just happened to also be a photographer, Mingay jumped at the opportunity, and volunteered to take photos for Ohno.

"I just volunteered and started photographing him," Mingay said. "I was able to do that because I already knew Apolo, and because as a person from the U.P., we have this special Midwest employability."

Mingay traveled with Ohno to Utah in February of 2008, where she photographed him during the 2008 World Cup in Kearns, and said she hopes to get the chance to photograph him on the road again.

Mingay, who won a bid to shoot the recent speed skating training sessions at Northern Michigan University for the United States Olympic Education Center and the university, is taking photos of the U.S. speed skating team during the weeklong training events, and again this fall for the Olympic team trials.

"I've only traveled to one event to photograph Apolo, out in Utah, and now just here," Mingay said. "I'll be here (in Marquette) in the fall too, photographing both events then."

Being back in Marquette and having the chance to see Mingay and have her photograph him again is something that Ohno said was a big part of how relationships in life are supposed to work.

"Meeting people like that is great," Ohno said. "I have friends all over the world in small cities everywhere, and that's what life's all about; having some good friends and good people surrounding you."



caption: Camilla Mingay chats with Apolo Anton Ohno at 'Skate with the Team' event at the Berry Events Center on Thursday. (Journal photo by Julia Woehrer)

[stfan]

Thank you sk8on for sharing that article. Camilla is very lucky. I know somebody who would like to travel with him and take great photos and that person is Susie. What do you think, Susie?

[susie]

Jun 30, 2009 0:56:59 GMT -5 stfan said:

Thank you sk8on for sharing that article. Camilla is very lucky. I know somebody who would like to travel with him and take great photos and that person is Susie. What do you think, Susie?

Yup, I'd be on board with that! He could have mine for free!

I've been wondering what the photos are for...a new (post-Vancouver) autobiography sprang to mind, but they could also be for a calendar.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Source - www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=33111

USOC Chicago Meeting Preview
9/8/2009

U.S. hopes to win the 2016 Olympics – as well as medals at the Vancouver Winter Games - will be on full display in Chicago this week for the major annual meeting of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley will make an appearance at the opening reception for the U.S. Olympic Assembly Tuesday night, where the main topic will no doubt be Chicago 2016's chances to win the IOC vote on Oct. 2.

Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan and USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Streeter will open the Olympic Assembly with the keynote address on Wednesday.

The fifth annual assembly, which concludes Thursday, brings together the USOC and organizations associated with the U.S. Olympic Movement to foster communication, collaboration and the development of new initiatives supporting U.S. athletes.

Olympic Assembly Highlights

The annual Olympic Assembly is expected to draw hundreds of individuals connected with the Olympic Movement in the U.S.

On Wednesday, the panel discussion, "The Chicago 2016 Campaign - Long Term Impact & Legacy" will feature Robert Fasulo, USOC Chief of International Relations; Senior Advisor of International Relations for Chicago 2016 Mike Kontos; Executive Director of World Sport Chicago Scott Myers; and Chairman of World Sport Chicago Bill Scherr.

"Olympic Family: Seeing and Shaping the Future" will be led by futurist and trend forecaster Gerald Celente and will encourage guests to discuss their role in shaping the future of the Olympic Movement.

Wednesday's lunch will include a Vancouver sport update from 2010 U.S. Olympic Chef de Mission Mike Plant. Five-time Olympic speedskating gold medalist Bonnie Blair will join Plant in a Q & A with Vancouver hopefuls Ralph Green, Paralympic alpine skiing; Catherine Raney-Norman, speedskating; Angela Ruggiero, women's ice hockey; and skier Marco Sullivan.

The winner of the Jack Kelly Fair Play Award also will be announced.

Meetings of the NGB Council, MultiSport organizations council and Athletes' Advisory Council will also be held.

On Thursday, the USOC Board of Directors meets following meetings of the compensation and audit committees.

Media Summit Preview

About 75 Olympic and Paralympic athletes will discuss their Vancouver aspirations during the U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit Thursday through Saturday.

The summit is aimed at members of the U.S. media who will be covering the Vancouver Olympics.

The confirmed Olympic hopefuls include bobsled drivers Steve Holcomb and Shauna Rohbock, figure skaters Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir, ice dancers Ben Agosto and Tanith Belbin, hockey player Angela Ruggiero and speedskater Chad Hedrick.

Superstars such as skier Lindsey Vonn, short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno and figure skater Sasha Cohen will speak via teleconference.

Chicago also hosted the media summit prior to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Print, broadcast, internet and photo journalists will conduct interviews in press conferences and round tables and athletes are also available for photo sessions.

USOC leadership will kick off the media summit with a press conference and Vancouver 2010 will hold a press conference on the final morning.

The Around the Rings Newsmaker Tea -- Destination Britain at 4 p.m. Wednesday will be followed by the opening reception for the Media Summit.

SportsLink in Second Year

Olympic SportsLink will focus on finding host cities for some of the 40-plus U.S. Olympic Team Trials and Exhibition events expected in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The event, hosted by three-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, will emphasize networking opportunities for National Governing Bodies and cities.

Sessions featuring speakers with extensive experience in sport event management, marketing and operations will include: Brett Goodman: Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Business Affairs at NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and the designated spokesperson for "Make Them Care" - NBC's strategic approach to Olympic marketing and promotion; Lars Pedersen: International Federation strategic counselor and Managing Director for TSE Consulting; Greg Shaheen, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball and Business Strategies, Supervisor of Strategic Operation for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and President of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT); and Frank Supovitz: Senior Vice President of Events for the NFL and an expert in sport event management and marketing.

Work sessions will center around best practices in the sports event industry, including in-depth discussions on the sports event bid process, Olympic Team Trials, NGB events, marketing, sponsorship activation, event operations and crisis management.

More than 65 cities and 30 NGBs were represented at the inaugural Olympic SportsLink in Indianapolis last year.

- - - - - -

Source - www.usatoday.com/travel/celebrity/2009-09-08-apolo-anton-ohno_N.htm

Traveling with the Stars: Apolo Anton Ohno
By Kelly Carter, special for USA TODAY

Apolo Anton Ohno, a five-time Olympic speed skating medalist and winner of Dancing with the Stars season four, spent the last month in Salt Lake City training for the 2010 U.S. Olympic short-track speedskating trials, which take place Sept. 8-12 in Marquette, Mich. He shares his travel highlights and tips with Kelly Carter for USA TODAY.

Q: Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?

A: I went to Vienna for a skating competition. Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, I was in for an unexpected treat. I'd heard about the high quality of life in this capital but one tour of the city and I was sold. This place is absolutely beautiful — from the architecture, stunning churches, rich foods, and a day filled with music, opera and theater. My small experience on Dancing with the Stars allowed me to slowly appreciate the Waltz and Viennese Waltz but to see it in Vienna is something much different. Without a doubt one of my favorite (sights), simply because of the sheer magnitude of its size and location, is St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Growing up in Seattle, a guy comes to expect good coffee and Vienna can produce a cup with the best of them. I'd really suggest visiting the Hotel Sacher and one of the cafés attached to the famous hotel. The Sachertorte is something that you will not forget and you'll probably end up sending a cake back home to your friends or family — which is exactly what I did. One last tip: A fantastic restaurant that will have you praising Vienna is Zum Schwarzen Kamee, with 400 years of history. I suggest bonding with the maître d'hôtel. Not only is he amazing, but the food and attire will please everyone.

Q: What's the best place you've ever visited?

A: This is such a hard question. I enjoy every place that I visit with each country/city having a unique story and culture. Picking one would leave me no choice but Japan. My father is 100% Japanese and came to the United States when he was only 18 years old. My grandmother still resides in Japan, which has allowed me to travel to the roots of my ancestors with my father. Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the "old Japan" and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture.

The food is incredible, even if you do not like sushi! The Japanese have acquired a dedication towards quality and when it comes to cuisine — they take (it) extremely seriously. If you crave a French pastry, or Italian food — the Japanese will wow you on their preparation, taste, cleanliness and, of course, hospitality. If I would have one recommendation: Go with someone who speaks Japanese and is familiar with the areas surrounding Tokyo so that you will go off the beaten path.

Q: What's the most surprising/unexpected place you're ever visited?

A: Slovakia or Sofia, Bulgaria — dead in the winter, cold as can be, no people outside and the atmosphere was quite cold. Interesting.

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot?

A: What an impossibly hard question to answer! I enjoy anywhere that has water and sunshine. Since I cannot give you my top spot I'll try for my top three — Hawaii, Southern California (San Diego and Laguna Niguel) and Moclips, Wash., in particular the Ocean Crest Resort.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: Washington along the sandy beaches — this sublime hideaway (Moclips) is absolutely delightful! About three hours from Seattle it rests right against the Pacific Ocean and in the summer you'll find amazing weather, sights and nature. It is the place where I go to make big decisions, life-changing contemplation or simply to get away from the world of materialistic agenda. True nature seems sacred here and the appreciation of the sights and sound of the crashing waves make a one-week stay simply not long enough. My favorite place to stay is the Ocean Crest Resort. The chef and staff at this small, quaint hotel give it a family feel. In fact, it is still in family ownership and operated by many of its family members to ensure that the quality and true Pacific Northwest feel stays true to the experience.

[LurkerB5]

The Reuter's article:

www.theoutlookonline.com/us_world_news/story.php?story_id=TRE58A044

Winning is not everything for skater Ohno
Tuesday, September 15, 2009

By Steve Ginsburg

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apolo Ohno stands on the brink of becoming America's most decorated male Winter Olympian yet remains philosophical about his place in the record books.

With the Vancouver Games five months away, the affable 27-year-old speed skater says the pilgrimage to the podium is more important than actually getting there.

"The goal in my sport is to prepare my mind, body and soul 100 percent so that I can race and be able to cross the finish line with my head held high, regardless of what place I get.

"For me, that's the ultimate goal, much more important than trying to win gold, silver or bronze," he told Reuters. "It's the preparation phase that I'll remember when the spotlight is gone."

Ohno, a Seattle native who has won a total of five medals over two Olympics, agonized after the 2006 Turin Games over whether he should launch a bid for Vancouver 2010.

"I spent many, many hours alone, just running, or being by the beach and I noticed that of my skating memories very, very seldom was I ever thinking of standing on the podium.

"They were all of the times when I was the lowest in training or at my most tired -- the obstacles, the challenges and how I responded to them.

"Like the times when the weather was crazy, whether it was too hot or when it was snowing like crazy and nobody else was outside. It's the man-against-man things that I remember."

MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGES

Ohno, whose five-medal haul ties him with fellow speed skater Eric Heiden among American Winter Olympians, keeps in touch with his fans through Twitter, Facebook and his own website (www.apoloantonohno.com).

He often writes motivational messages, such as: 'Pain is weakness leaving the body' or: 'Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do'.

"I'm writing to inspire others and let other people in my life and my mind," he said. "But I'm also inspiring myself. It's a reminder of: 'Hey Apolo, are you doing everything to represent your country the best you can?'"

Ohno is a deep thinker, a trait often at odds with his public persona of a bandanna-wearing free sprit who waltzed away with the top prize in the popular television program "Dancing with the Stars."

He credits the Japanese heritage of his father, Yuki Ohno, for his reflective mind-set.

"The older I get the more and more I liken myself to some of the same elements of that Asian philosophy toward life and toward whatever craft you're involved in," he said.

NEW GENERATION

Ohno enjoys watching the pre-race practice of Jamaica's champion sprinter, Usain Bolt, who cavorts around the track with a wide smile and a happy-go-lucky approach.

"He looks like he's having so much fun, he's so relaxed," said Ohno. "There's something about him. He looks like the new generation of athlete -- someone who is still intensely focused when he gets in the blocks but beforehand he has a really refreshing way of preparing for the race.

"It's nice to see someone who is so utterly dominant in a sport who has taken a different approach. He seems so fresh and new."

Ohno said there were times when he could relate to Bolt's demeanor.

"On one aspect, I'm focused and quiet," he said. "Very internal. Everything happens within my brain and within my body.

"But if you look at me sometimes during training, I've got my headphones on, dancing around the rink. People probably think I'm crazy."

Ohno said for February's Vancouver Games he was toying with the idea of shaving off his trademark 'soul patch', the tuft of facial hair between the lower lip and the chin.

"Part of me wants to shave it off just to see what I look like," he said. "I haven't seen my chin in years. Maybe I have one of those dimple chins. I have no idea."

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

Noooo! That would be like Sampson cutting his hair!! Don't do it!!! (That's my gut reaction anyway... )

[gasp]

This could be old news, but it just hit my google alert.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - Page updated at 01:27 PM

Permission to reprint or copy this article or photo, other than personal use, must be obtained from The Seattle Times. Call 206-464-3113 or e-mail [e-mail] with your request.

Alaska Airlines sponsoring Apolo Ohno
The Associated Press

Oops--removing post due to the above caveat. My apologies to the Seattle-Times.