Ohno didn't begin his competitive career as a short track speed skater until 1995, but in less than two years he became the best short track skater in the United States. Ohno was just 14 when he claimed his first U.S overall title in the 1996-1997 season. He won the U.S. title again during the 1998-1999 season, and added a silver medal in the 500 meters at the World Championships and an eighth-place finish in the overall World Cup standings. He moved even higher in the international ranks the following season. In December 1999 in China, he earned his first overall victory at a World Cup event. He completed the season seventh in the overall World Cup standings, earning four podium finishes.

     In his Olympic debut, Apolo Anton Ohno (pronounced ah-PAHL-lo ANT-on OH-no) won the silver medal in the 1000 meters. Ohno was leading heading into the final lap of the race but was involved in a crash involving three other skaters. Ohno got up and made it across the finish line to secure the silver. Australia's Steven Bradbury won the gold -- the first gold medal for Australia in the Olympic Winter Games. In yet another short track controversy, Ohno won the gold medal in the 1500. Ohno initially finished second to South Korea's Kim Dong-Sung, but Kim was disqualified for cross-tracking, giving the gold to Ohno. Li Jiajun of China won the silver and Canada's Marc Gagnon won the bronze. It was the first gold of Ohno's Olympic career and his second medal overall.

    

     Yuki Ohno, who raised Apolo by himself, is a hairstylist who for many years would fly to London to work with models. The two are very close, and Yuki was the impetus behind Apolo's skating career. Yuki would take Apolo across the Canadian border to compete in in-line events. After switching to the ice, Apolo broke through early in 1996, when he won the North American and U.S. championships for his age group as well as the U.S. long track championships in his age group. Then-U.S. coach Pat Wentland asked Ohno to join the national team in Lake Placid. The Olympic Training Center normally didn't allow anyone under 15, but it made an exception for Ohno, who was 14. The only catch was that Ohno had to live away from his father for the first time. The decision was a tough one, but Apolo left for Lake Placid. His skating career had begun.

 

     Ohno was not named for Apollo, the Greek god of sunlight and prophecy. His unique first name was given to him by his father, who combined the Greek words "Ap," meaning "lead," and "lo," meaning "away from." The "o" connects it and the name means "to lead away from." Ohno also goes by the nickname "Chunky," a holdover from his youth, when he was one of the stockier members of his roller skating team.