Spring Break
Olympian speaks of passion for sport
Antionette Grajeda
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
"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.
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.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
lex
posted 5/03/08 @ 11:01 AM CST
i just wanted to say that this website is a huge help to me b/c i chose to do u as a project this yearin in school and i just wanted to say that u are an inspiration to me and i think your a awesome a athlete and i loved watching you win on dancing with the stars. (Continued…)
Amazon Herbs
posted 5/14/08 @ 11:03 PM CST
This is not the usual story of an Olympian. Without his father, he never would have got to be an Olympian. Many times the story is how they got to the Olympics despite lack of support from family. (Continued…)
Post a Comment