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Apollo Ohno, winner of two Olympic gold metals in short track speed skating, speaks to a public gathering at Fayetteville's Town Center Tuesday night.

Olympian speaks of passion for sport

By: Antionette Grajeda

Posted: 4/4/08

In the early '90s, a future Olympian watched in amazement as short-track speed skaters leaned at near-impossible angles while they circled the ice rink. It was in that moment that he found his passion.

"That's when I was like, 'I want to do that,'" Apolo Anton Ohno said.

The five-time Olympic medalist visited Fayetteville Tuesday as part of the UA Distinguished Lecture Series and spoke about the importance of athletics in his life.

"Sports saved me in so many ways," he said. "It's amazing."

Students who attended the informal question-and-answer session prior to the public lecture said they were excited about the event.

"It was a great opportunity to be able to listen to an Olympic athlete," freshman Jonathan Weaver said. "I mean, where else can you do that?"

Other students were intrigued by Ohno's descriptions of his journey toward becoming an accomplished athlete.

"The stories about how he got started in skating so young and the role his father played in his life were inspirational," senior Janet Breda said.

Ohno, a Seattle native, described himself as a high-energy child who participated in swimming, inline skating and the occasional break-dance session in school hallways before becoming involved in speed skating.

"I was always active as a kid," he said.

Because speed skating still was gaining popularity at the time, Ohno's father, Yuki, drove him two hours to Vancouver, British Colombia, to train.

"[My father] been the No. 1 biggest supporter," he said.

The youngster's accomplishments earned him national recognition, which resulted in an opportunity to travel to Lake Placid, N.Y., for training. But when Ohno's father dropped the young champion off at the airport, he went to a friend's house instead of getting on the plane.

Ohno said his father was "very hurt" when he discovered his son's actions. So he personally escorted his son to the training facility.

Ohno began competing at national events, and in 1997, he became the youngest person to win an overall U.S. championship in short-track speed skating at 14 years old.

"I was beating guys who had been skating longer than I had been alive," he said.

The future Olympian attributed part of his success to his simple perspective of not wanting to cross the finish line last.

"So I crossed it first," he said with a laugh.

However, after the season was over, Ohno said he went home to Seattle where he spent time hanging out with friends instead of training.This resulted in Ohno gaining 25 pounds, falling to the bottom of the rankings and not making the Olympic team in 1998.

The incident resulted in a "very pivotal point" in the skater's young life when his father took him to a cabin to do some soul-searching.

"He always thought there was something better for me," Ohno said.

The time alone allowed the teenager to decide skating was what he wanted to do with his life, and he soon returned to training.

"I had this drive inside of me," he said. "This passion for the sport and a competitiveness you wouldn't believe."

As Ohno continued competing, his father continued to support him.

"He just has an unconditional love for me, and it's amazing," he said.

In 2002, Ohno earned the right to compete in the Olympics. During the final of the men's 1,000-meter race, Ohno led until a fall resulted in Ohno crossing the line second. Following the match, a reporter asked him how it felt to lose the gold.

"In reality, I had never lost the gold," Ohno said. "I had won the silver."

During the 1,500-meter race, Ohno won the gold as a result of a Korean competitor's disqualification. Korean fans informed the American of their displeasure in the form of 16,000 negative e-mails, some of which were death threats.

Ohno later traveled to Korea where he earned fans' respect by winning a competition despite the fact that he contracted an illness that resulted in losing 14 pounds.

"I raced those 1,000 meters on pure heart and the will to win," he said.

In 2006, Ohno returned to the Olympics and earned three more medals, making him one of four Americans who have won three medals in a single Winter Olympic game, and one of only two Americans to have won five Winter Olympic medals.

Despite the honor, Ohno said the games are bigger than reaching the podium. What's memorable is the journey.

"I remember all the struggles and all the challenges up to that point that shaped the person I am," he said.

His recognition at the Olympics resulted in an offer to compete on the ABC show "Dancing With the Stars," and Ohno said his initial response was "no way."

After more consideration, however, he signed on for this "big challenge" and won the entire competition. He said he enjoyed his time on the show because it helped him relax and show his personality, but the experience was nerve-racking.

"I was more nervous for that first day than any Olympic competition," Ohno said.

The Olympian still keeps in contact with his partner, Julianne Hough, and said he will return to the show for at least one evening May 6, along with a few other familiar faces.

In what little free time he does have, Ohno said he enjoys real estate development and "anything with cars."

Whether fans remember Ohno for his moves on the ice or his moves on the dance floor, he said he also wants to be remembered for his ideals.

"I'd like to be seen as someone who's honest," Ohno said. "Obviously I want to be known as a good athlete - someone who's passionate about success on all levels."

Although he strives for success, Ohno said it's important to be able to walk away satisfied with a performance.

"That to me is worth more than anything in the world," he said.

Ohno said he feels he was "blessed with a gift," and he will display it once more at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, the place where it all began.

"I don't know if I'm going to win or lose, but I know I'm coming full circle, and that's got to mean something," he said.