Ohno helps skating make quick strides

Short-track speedskating has been recognized as an Olympic sport only since 1992. But it has quickly become one of the most popular events in the Winter Games, thanks largely to the prowess of two-time U.S. gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno.

"It's extraordinarily popular, and a lot of that has to do with Apolo's success in 2002," when Ohno won gold and silver at the Salt Lake City Games," said Andy Gabel, a four-time U.S. Olympian and 1994 silver medalist who will provide color commentary for NBC's speedskating coverage at the Vancouver Olympics.

Ohno, 27, also won a gold and two bronze medals at the Turin Games in 2006 and widened his popularity in 2007, when he won reality TV's "Dancing with the Stars" competition.

"He drew people to (the sport), and once they started watching it, they started enjoying it," said Gabel, a 45-year-old Las Vegas resident who ended his record 19-year run as a member of the U.S. speedskating team in 1998.

Gabel said people enjoy short-track skating because it's fast-paced and action-packed -- with competitors flying around the 111-meter oval at nearly 35 mph -- and, unlike many events in the Winter Olympics that are judged or timed, it has a clear-cut winner.

Competing in his third Olympics, Ohno has a good chance to become the most-decorated winter athlete in U.S. history. He is tied with Eric Heiden -- who won five golds at the 1980 Games -- for most medals by a male U.S. athlete and is one behind Bonnie Blair for most medals by a U.S. Winter Olympian.

Ohno will compete in all three individual distance events -- 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters -- and the 5,000 meter relay.

He's a medal threat at every distance," with his best chance at gold in the 1,500, Gabel said. "He's skating great. He's every bit as good as he has been in the past. I definitely expect very good things out of him. He's really on top of it right now."

Gabel said Ohno combines "great natural talent with an amazing work ethic and a lot of desire."

"He has a fantastic feel for the ice and he outworks everybody in all facets of the sport, not just the training part, but the mental part and the nutrition part," Gabel said. "He's a competitor -- he loves to race and he loves to win."

While Gabel regards Ohno as "one of the greatest speedskaters ever" and a notch below Heiden and Blair, he doesn't expect him to add to his medal collection without a challenge from rising countryman J.R. Celski and skaters from South Korea and host Canada.

"J.R. Celski is certainly a viable contender in all of his races, and China, South Korea and Canada all have some strong skaters who will be pushing Ohno and everybody else for those medal spots," he said.

The 19-year-old Celski, who grew up skating at the same Seattle rink as Ohno, his boyhood idol, will make an improbable return to action Saturday in the 1,500 meters after suffering a horrific injury during September's Olympic trials.

After falling in the 1,000 meters, Celski sliced his left thigh to the bone with his skate blade. The gash required 60 stitches, emergency surgery and months of rehabilitation.

"He was bleeding all over. People were worried about his life, not just skating," Gabel said. "People thought he might never skate again, but he's really come back strong and he's got a chance to do great.

"He's right there with the best in the world."

China is expected to dominate the women's short-track competition. Katherine Reutter -- who, like her hero Blair, hails from Champaign, Ill. -- should give the United States its best chance for a medal in the 1,000 and 1,500 meters.

"Gold might be a little tough," Gabel said. "But she's a medal contender."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.