Apolo Ohno

Apolo Ohno (born May 22, 1982, Seattle, Washington, U.S.) is an American former short-track speed skater who is the most-decorated American athlete in the history of the Winter Olympics. In three Games (2002, 2006, and 2010) he accumulated a total of eight medals—two gold, two silver, and four bronze.

Early life

Ohno’s Japanese-born father encouraged him from an early age to participate in sports. (He had no contact with his American mother.) He experienced success in competitive swimming and in-line roller skating before taking up short-track speed skating at the age of 12. His talent on the ice was recognized almost immediately, and at age 14 he became the youngest skater ever to be accepted into the residency program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. He won the first of his numerous U.S. championships in 1997, and by 2001 he had emerged as an elite competitor on the international short-track circuit, winning the overall World Cup title that year—the first American skater to do so.

2002 and 2006 Olympics

At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ohno was among the favorites in the 1,000-meter event. On the race’s final lap, however, China’s Li Jiajun caused a pileup that knocked everyone down except Australian Steven Bradbury (then skating in last place), who safely bypassed the other skaters for the gold. Ohno managed to lunge across the finish line to earn the silver medal. Ohno later won a controversial gold in the 1,500-meter competition; although he finished the race second behind South Korea’s Kim Dong-Sung, Kim was subsequently disqualified for having obstructed Ohno’s path. Ohno claimed his second overall World Cup title in 2003 and achieved a third in 2005. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, he was the only American to win a short-track gold medal, in the 500-meter event, and earned bronze medals in the 1,000-meter race and the 5,000-meter relay.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.

SIGN UP

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Britannica Quiz

American Sports Nicknames

In 2007 Ohno made headlines off the ice by appearing as a contestant on the televised dance competition Dancing with the Stars, which he won with his professional dance partner, Julianne Hough; he also competed on the show in 2012.

2010 Olympics and retirement

After returning to skating, Ohno quickly regained his winning form. At the 2008 short-track world championships in Kangnung, South Korea, he captured the 500-meter and overall world titles.

Although Ohno struggled in 2009, he arrived at the 2010 Games in Vancouver with high expectations. After capturing a silver medal in the 1,500 meters, he won a bronze in the 1,000 meters. It was his seventh career Olympic medal, and Ohno surpassed speed skater Bonnie Blair for most Winter Games medals won by an American. Ohno later suffered a disqualification in the 500-meter final but returned to lead the United States to a bronze medal in the 5,000-meter relay. The Vancouver Olympics were his final competition, though he did not officially retire until 2013.

Later activities

Ohno subsequently worked as a motivational speaker, and he was the author of several books, including Zero Regrets: Be Greater than Yesterday (2010). In 2012 Ohno returned as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars but lost. He also had guest appearances on several game shows, acted in a episode (2012) of Hawaii Five-O, and occasionally worked as a sports commentator. In addition, Ohno was involved with various health ventures.

Explore Britannica Premium!

The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.

SUBSCRIBE