Most Memorable Moment
I didn't know I could get caught up in the moment like that. But, watching Apolo Ohno compete in last night's 500 meter race, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat at the Palavela, screaming, "Go! Go! Go Apolo!" until I didn't have a voice anymore. (Click here to view pictures from the event). When you cover local athletes at the Olympics and follow them for months before they ever make it to the games - they become people you root for, people you genuinely enjoy talking to, people you truly care about. And covering Apolo Ohno's journey has been an absolute pleasure...
I've had the opportunity to interview him three times at these Olympics, including last night after his competition. Every time, I walk away so impressed with the way he handles himself. He is a source of inspiration, as an athlete and a human being. From the many grueling hours, days, weeks and years he trains, to the way he lives in a dorm room the size of a shoebox at a training facility in Colorado in order to stay simple and focused, to achieving the mental strength to turn a disappointing start to the games into a glorious finale -- he embodies true Olympic spirit. He always reminds us that while medals are nice, (He has five medals now, by the way: two gold, a silver, and two bronze.) he'd rather skate his heart out and have the race of his life.
And when Apolo can achieve both at the same time, magic happens on the ice.
Watching Apolo Ohno on the medals podium, a gold medal around his neck, and a hand on his heart during the national anthem is the most memorable moment for me of these Winter games.
Comments
Well said, Mimi. And for those of us who have followed his skating and the sport of short track since 2002 find it even more satisfying to see him on the podium yet again. He is such a great example of sportsmanship, perseverance and dedication. It's people like Apolo who make us stop and realize that it takes years of sacrifice just to get to the Olympics, and in those few moments of competition, all those years of difficult training come together. As the saying goes, "it's not every four years, it's every day".
Posted by: Linda J. | February 27, 2006 10:44 AM
I almost felt like everybody had given up on the Olympics before Saturday. The Today Show had packed up and left and the stories were flying about how disappointing everything was from Apolo's first stumble to whatever it is Bode was doing or not doing to Sasha falling.
I kept thinking--don't give up because Apolo is not done--this could have a truly storybook ending. Lo and behold, Apolo's story reverberates yet again across this country. and it wasn't just the gold medal--it was the relay bronze and shaking Ahn's hand and all of it--the true demonstration of the Olympic Spirit.
Posted by: janet | February 27, 2006 11:39 AM
i think everyone can agree that apolo really does embody what the olympic spirit is all about. when he stumbled in the 1500m, people started writing him off as one of the over hyped athletes who did not deliver what he was expected to. but what i saw that night, and all through the olympics, was someone who was dedicated to his sport and to his country; someone who fought to get back on the ice to race a b final even though he would not get a medal; someone who knows that the olympics is not always about winning. his spirit, attitude and sportsmanship is what makes him great and i hope that all of america got to see what a true athlete looks like. we should be proud to have him represent the USA.
Posted by: rosh | February 28, 2006 7:52 AM
Yep, that race has got to be one of the most memorable moments at the Olympics in a while. The pure and total joy as he finished the race was incredible. It's rare to see emotion so pure...And such grace, dignity and wisdom in one so young. He does embody what the Olympic spirit should be all about. He is one who can truly make us proud. Congrats, sweet Apolo!
Posted by: Carol | February 28, 2006 8:26 AM