Apolo Anton Ohno

American short track speed skater who became the most decorated American Winter Olympian with eight Olympic medals across three Games from 2002-2010.

Born in Seattle, Washington, on May 22, 1982, to a Japanese-American father and European-American mother, Apolo Anton Ohno discovered short track speed skating at age 14. His father, Yuki Ohno, relocated the family to support his son's athletic pursuits after recognizing his exceptional talent and competitive drive. Ohno's multicultural background and charismatic personality would later make him one of America's most recognizable Winter Olympic athletes. Ohno's professional career peaked during three consecutive Winter Olympics from 2002 to 2010. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, he captured international attention with a dramatic gold medal victory in the 1500-meter short track event, crossing the finish line while sitting up after avoiding a multi-skater collision. This moment became one of the most memorable individual performances in American Olympic broadcasting history. He continued his success at the 2006 Turin Olympics, winning gold in the 500 meters and bronze in the 1000 meters, followed by three medals at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Throughout his Olympic career, Ohno accumulated eight total medals—two gold, two silver, and four bronze—making him the most decorated American Winter Olympian at the time of his retirement in 2013. His medal count stood as an American record until it was surpassed by cross-country skier Kikkan Randall and others in subsequent Games. Beyond the Olympics, he won multiple World Championship medals and dominated American short track competitions throughout the 2000s. Ohno's impact extended far beyond competitive skating. His television appearances, including winning Dancing with the Stars in 2007 with record-high scores, introduced short track speed skating to mainstream American audiences. His success helped popularize a sport traditionally overlooked in the United States, inspiring a new generation of American short track skaters. Following retirement, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, motivational speaking, and media work, cementing his status as one of America's most influential Winter Olympic ambassadors.

Aggressive tactical racer known for strategic positioning and late-race surges

Transformed short track speed skating's popularity in America and became iconic figure of Winter Olympics

• Olympic Gold 2x
• Olympic Silver 2x
• Olympic Bronze 4x
• Eight Olympic medals total
• World Championship Gold 2001
• World Championship Overall Title 2001
• Dancing with the Stars Winner 2007