Apolo Ohno facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Apolo Anton Ohno

Ohno at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin
Personal information
Born	(1982-05-22) May 22, 1982 (age 43) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in
Weight	65.7 kg (145 lb; 10 st 5 lb)
Sport
Country	United States of America
Sport	Short track speed skating
Retired	2010
Achievements and titles
World finals	World Championship 2008 Overall World Cup 2001 Overall 2003 Overall 2005 Overall
Personal best(s)	500 m: 41.327 (2009) 1000 m: 1:24.500 (2009) 1500 m: 2:11.280 (2003) 3000 m: 4:32.975 (2003)
Medal record Men's short track speed skating Representing the  United States Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 2 2 4 World Championships 8 7 6 World Team Championships 1 0 1 Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City 1500 m Gold 2006 Turin 500 m Silver 2002 Salt Lake City 1000 m Silver 2010 Vancouver 1500 m Bronze 2006 Turin 1000 m Bronze 2006 Turin 5000 m relay Bronze 2010 Vancouver 1000 m Bronze 2010 Vancouver 5000 m relay World Championships Gold 2001 Jeonju 3000 m Gold 2001 Jeonju 5000 m relay Gold 2005 Beijing 1000 m Gold 2005 Beijing 3000 m Gold 2007 Milan 1500 m Gold 2008 Gangneung Overall Gold 2008 Gangneung 500 m Gold 2009 Vienna 5000 m relay Silver 1999 Sofia 500 m Silver 2001 Jeonju Overall Silver 2001 Jeonju 1000 m Silver 2003 Warsaw 3000 m Silver 2005 Beijing Overall Silver 2008 Gangneung 1000 m Silver 2009 Vienna 1000 m Bronze 2005 Beijing 5000 m relay Bronze 2007 Milan Overall Bronze 2007 Milan 1000 m Bronze 2007 Milan 3000 m Bronze 2007 Milan 5000 m relay Bronze 2008 Gangneung 3000 m World Team Championships Gold 2008 Harbin Team Bronze 2009 Heerenveen Team World Junior Championships Gold 1999 Montreal Overall

Apolo Anton Ohno (born May 22, 1982) is a retired American short track speed skating champion. He is famous for winning eight medals at the Winter Olympics, including two gold, two silver, and four bronze. His achievements made him one of the most celebrated Winter Olympians in U.S. history.

Ohno was raised by his father and began training seriously in 1996. When he was only 14, he became the youngest U.S. national champion in 1997. He went on to win this title 12 times. Ohno also became the first American to win a World Cup overall title, which he won three times.

Because of his success, Ohno became the face of short track speed skating in the United States. He has received many awards, including being named to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019.

After retiring from skating, Ohno has done many other things. He won the TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2007. He has also worked as a motivational speaker, a TV host, and a commentator for NBC during the Olympics.

Early life

Ohno was born in Seattle, Washington. His father, Yuki Ohno, was from Japan, and his mother, Jerrie Lee, was American. His parents divorced when he was a baby, and his father raised him. His father, a hair stylist, worked long hours and wanted to keep his son busy and out of trouble.

Yuki named his son Apolo from two Greek words: apo, meaning "to steer away from," and lo, meaning "look out; here he comes."

To keep him active, Ohno's father got him involved in swimming and quad-speed roller skating when he was 6. Ohno became a national champion in inline speed skating. When he was 12, he also won the Washington state championship in the breaststroke for swimming. But he loved skating the most.

Skating career

How it all started

At age 13, Ohno saw short track speed skating at the 1994 Olympics and became very interested. His father drove him to competitions, and he started winning. To help him improve, his father got him into the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center in 1996. At 13, he was the youngest skater ever admitted.

At first, Ohno didn't train very hard. His teammates nicknamed him "Chunky," which motivated him to work harder. In 1997, at age 14, he won the U.S. Senior Championships, becoming the youngest person ever to win the title.

However, he struggled at the 1997 World Championships and failed to qualify for the 1998 Olympics. This disappointment made him more determined. He returned to training and won the World Junior Championships in 1999. By 2001, he had won his first World Cup overall title and was a top skater in the world.

2002 Winter Olympics

The skates Ohno wore at the 2002 Winter Olympics are preserved in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History.

Ohno in Seattle, Washington, shortly after the 2002 Winter Olympics

At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ohno became a star. He won medals in two events, but both races were filled with drama.

In the 1000-meter race, Ohno was leading near the end when he and three other skaters crashed in a pile-up. The only skater who didn't fall, Steven Bradbury of Australia, skated past them to win the gold. Ohno quickly got up and crossed the finish line to win the silver medal.

In the 1500-meter race, Ohno was in second place behind Kim Dong-Sung of South Korea. When Ohno tried to pass him, Kim drifted into his path. The referee disqualified Kim for blocking, which gave the gold medal to Ohno. The decision was very controversial and upset many fans in South Korea, who directed their anger at Ohno.

2006 Winter Olympics

In the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Ohno won three more medals. He won a bronze medal in the 1000-meter race.

He then won a gold medal in the 500-meter race. He took the lead with a powerful start and held it all the way to the finish. Some people thought he started a little too early, but the race officials said the start was valid.

On the same day, he earned a bronze medal in the 5000-meter relay with his American teammates.

2010 Winter Olympics

Closing ceremony press conference at the 2010 Winter Olympics featuring Angela Ruggiero, Ohno, Lindsey Vonn and Bill Demong

For the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Ohno trained harder than ever before. He followed a strict diet and exercise program to get into the best shape of his life.

His hard work paid off. In the 1500-meter race, he won a silver medal after two Korean skaters crashed in front of him. This was his sixth Olympic medal, tying him with speed skater Bonnie Blair for the most medals won by a U.S. Winter Olympian.

In the 1000-meter race, he won a bronze medal. This was his seventh Olympic medal, making him the most decorated American athlete in Winter Olympics history.

He won his eighth and final medal, a bronze, in the 5000-meter relay.

Life after skating

Ohno retired from skating after the 2010 Olympics. He has since become a successful businessman, investing in health and technology companies. He also became a popular TV personality.

Television and fame

Ohno at the movie premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean 3

In 2007, Ohno competed on the TV show Dancing with the Stars with his partner Julianne Hough. They received the show's first perfect score and went on to win the competition. He returned for an All-Star season in 2012.

He has also hosted the game show Minute to Win It and has appeared in several TV shows and movies. He has served as a commentator for NBC during the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 Winter Olympics.

Helping others

Ohno has used his fame to support many good causes. He started the Apolo Anton Ohno Foundation to encourage people to live healthy lives. He has worked with the Special Olympics, helping athletes with intellectual disabilities.

He has also helped raise money for organizations like The Salvation Army and the Ronald McDonald House. Ohno believes in being a positive role model for young people.

Images for kids

• 

  Ohno in lead at a 500 m short-track race at the 2004 World Cup in Saguenay

• 

  In 2010, Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Shani Davis (left) and Ohno for the B.J. Stupak Scholarship, a federally-funded scholarship program designed to provide financial assistance to Olympic athletes.

• 

  Ohno speaking at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games

See also

In Spanish: Apolo Ohno para niños