Winter Olympics: Ohno Wins Sixth Olympic Medal
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — In a dramatic short track finish, Apolo Anton Ohno won the silver medal in the men’s 1500 meters. With six Olympic medals to his name, Ohno is now tied with Bonnie Blair as the most decorated American Winter Olympian.
“I’m very, very happy with my performance today,” Ohno said. “I skated a very aggressive race. I feel good.”
Going into the final turn, Ohno was in fourth place when two Korean skaters crashed, allowing him to move up to second. He finished in 2:17.976 just in front of teammate J.R. Celski, who won the bronze medal finishing in 2:18.053.
“Typically short track is not supposed to have any contact,” Ohno said. “There was a lot of contact—a lot of bumping, a lot of grabbing. It was a crazy race.”
Korea’s Lee Jung-Su won gold with a time of 2:17.611.
Ohno, who is competing in his third Olympic games, now has two gold medals, two silver and two bronze. Anything he wins from here on out “is just icing on the cake,” he said.
“I do this sport because I love it,” Ohno said. “I was very relaxed all day and I think I will be throughout the entire Olympic games. It’s been a fantastic start for an Olympic games for me. I’m enjoying every single moment.”
Ohno will next compete in the men’s 1000-meter race on Wednesday; the final is Saturday.
This post originally appeared in the Washington Times Communities on Feb.14, 2010.
