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Apolo Anton Ohno
- Five-time Olympic medalist (2002, 2006); tying Eric Heiden for most winter medals by a U.S. male Olympian
- Earned a gold (1500m) and silver medal (1000m) in 2002; and a gold (500m) and two bronze medals (1000m, 5000m relay) in 2006
- Three-time World Cup overall champion (2001, 2003, 2005)
- Seven-time World Cup event champion, including the 500m, 1000m and 1500m in 2001 and 2005; and the 1000m in 2003
- Seven-time U.S. short track overall champion (1997, 1999, 2001-2005)
- Won 3000m gold, 1000m silver at 2002 World Championships, 3000m silver at 2003 World Championships
- Won 23 individual World Cup medals in 2005 (11 golds, 11 silvers, one bronze)
- Youngest American at age 17 to win a World Cup event
- Began speed skating in 1995 at age 13 after switching over from skating inline when he decided he "wanted to try something new"
- Earned a state championship as a swimmer in the breaststroke, was a national champion and record-holder in indoor inline skating
- His unique first name was given to him by his father, Yuki, who combined the Greek words "Apo," meaning "away," and "lo," meaning "look out"
- His father raised him by himself, leaving a strong impression on the teen-ager. "I believe my father has and always will be the strongest influence in my life, as he has guided me on many paths."
- Has a spiritual side…firm believer in the books, “Flow” and “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior”
- Wrote an autobiography called "A Journey"
- Enjoys cars, real estate, electronics, music, dancing
Ohno waited for his moment to shine for several years. He left his home in Seattle at age 14 to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. While he had to leave his father for the first time, it also gave him the needed experience to break loose and become one of the world's premier short track skaters.
Related Links
U.S. Olympic Fan Club: Support the next Apolo Anton Ohno ... Get a free Olympic pin!
Photo gallery: Life of an Olympic champion
Photo gallery: Apolo Anton Ohno, March '05
Photo gallery: Lunch with Apolo Anton Ohno
Photo gallery: Olympic short track skater Apolo Anton Ohno
Photo gallery: Apolo Anton Ohno grabs gold in 500m, bronze in 1000m relay
Wallpaper: Download Apolo Ohno wallpapers
Ask an Olympian: Do you just have a "feel for the ice?"
Q&A: Apolo Ohno on fame, training, and international competition
Q&A: Ohno on inline, his dad and dreadlocks
Q&A: A speedskater who's hungry
Ask an Olympian: What do you do in your free time?
Related Article: 10 reasons to watch these Olympics
Official Web site: Apolo Anton Ohno
Video: On his first pair of skates
Video: Gold Medalist: 2002 video: On proving himself
Audio: Pre-Olympic press conference
On his biggest sacrifices: “The biggest sacrifice…I would have to say giving up a normal like, and friends. I had to move from home at the age of 14 years old, right when you start making those life long friends. Since the Games, I can’t go anywhere without being recognized by at least five people.”
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Height: 5'8
Born: 5/22/1982
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
Resides: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Sport: Short Track
Event: Short Track Speed Skating
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