Zoutou | The Gift
Zoutou | The Gift: After the recent success of the In Apolo's Name project, it was shown that Apolo fans can make a difference by supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Zoutou | The Gift strives to allow Apolo's dedicated fans to continue to support these charities. No better place to make a difference than in Salt Lake City, UT, the city that will always mean something special to him. [More info.]
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Media: 13 articles added.
Pictures: Links added to Tony Field's Calgary World Cup photo gallery, and Pablo Galvez's CHSTC & Calgary World Cup galleries.
Up Next: Beijing World Cup, December 5-7
Apolo and the U.S. Team will be competing at the Beijing World Cup, December 5-7. Click here for more details.
To follow this World Cup, stay tuned to the CyberScoreBoard and the Live CyberScoreBoard.
In addition, US Short Track Fans will be hosting a chat where fans can follow the races and hang out with fellow short track fans. Click here to join the chatroom.
In Apolo's Name Update
For seven months in 2002, fans of Apolo Anton Ohno, U.S. short track speed skater extraordinaire, worked feverishly to raise money to help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington (RMHC) build a new Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Seattle. Based on public statements, fans knew this was a charity close to Apolo's heart, so they made all their donations in his name.
On the morning of Oct. 23, 2003, Ronald McDonald Charities of Western Washington hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to herald the opening of their new Ronald McDonald House at 5130 40th Ave. in Seattle. Click here to read more...
(Zoutou: The Gift is IAN's successor.)
Tony Field's Calgary World Cup Photos
Tony Field, who took many great photos at the Calgary World Cup (Click here to view the gallery), is offering them for sale.
Prices are:
13x19 = $35
11x17 = $25
8x12 = $15
5x7 = $9
4x6 = $5
(Plus mailing and packing material. The two larger sizes will be sent in a mailing tube. The smaller sizes will be sent in one of the cardboard post office mailing envelopes.)
To order, contact Tony directly at tony@shaw.ca.
Pablo Galvez's CSTSC & Calgary World Cup Photos
Pablo Galvez also took great photographs at the Conematic Short Track Speedskating Competition (formerly known as CODA) and the Calgary World Cup. They are available for purchase, as well.
Click here to view his CSTSC photos
Click here to view his Calgary World Cup photos
(Disclaimer: I'm not being compensated, monetarily or otherwise, to link to Tony Field's or Pablo Galvez's photo galleries.)
Friday, November 21, 2003
Apolo Will Not Compete at Korean World Cup
Apolo issued a statement via U.S. Speedskating today regarding the upcoming World Cup to be held in Korea, Nov. 28-30:
"It is with great sadness and regret that I am announcing my withdrawal from the World Cup stop in Korea. Although The Korean Skating Federation has proposed a security plan in great detail, it has become obvious to myself and those that I trust, that my security cannot be guaranteed. It is unfortunate that a few people feel the need to make death threats against me. I am an athlete, not a politician. Cyber terrorism is every bit as dangerous and wrong as any other type of terrorism. Without the arrest of the criminals making these threats against me, I see no other choice but to not compete at this World Cup event."
Apolo Anton Ohno November 21, 2003
Update: U.S. Short Track Team Will Not Compete at Korea World Cup Event
From U.S. Speedskating:
"COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., November 21, 2003 - Citing concern for their safety and in the wake of Apolo Anton Ohno's decision earlier in the day to withdraw from the event, the U.S. Short Track World Cup Team has decided not to participate in the Nov. 28-30 event in Dechoun, Korea. The majority of the eight team members decided not to compete during a team meeting Friday afternoon." Read the full release here.
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Pictures: Album # 46 (Marquette World Cup pictures) added. Thanks to Christine, Sue, and Judie!
Speed Skating: Link added to Canadian Short Track Enthusiasts (look under "Fan-based sites").
Ohno Wins USOC Male Athlete of the Month for October
November 14, 2003 – The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) today named women's wrestler Patricia Miranda and speed skating sensation Apolo Anton Ohno as the October Athletes of the Month. Read the full article here. Congratulatios, Apolo!
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Concerns About Korean World Cup - Apolo Receives Death Threats
Recently, posters from Korea have left death threat messages to Apolo in the Apolo Portal guestbook and also at the Ohno Zone. I'm not linking to the guestbook until these issues are resolved.
I have been in contact with the FBI about these threats and have given them the IP addresses of the threat posters. The FBI agent I spoke with told me that they will "get right on it" and contact the Korean authorities.
This is especially serious since Apolo and the U.S. team are/were planning to attend the World Cup held in Jeonju City, Korea, November 28-30, 2003. They have until Friday, November 21 to decide if they will be attending or not.
Quoting Apolo from the USA Today article:
"My dream has always been to just train for the Olympics, be on the ice, compete the best I can, represent the United States of America to my fullest in every single race," says Ohno, the overall World Cup champion last season. "Obviously, in this upcoming competition, it seems like there's more to it than that. I'm not allowed to keep it that simple. That is scary."
For more information, read these articles:
Welcome mat pulled for Ohno
Ohno Threats May Lead to Action by FBI
"I Will Meet Ohno and Buy Him Bibimbob"
My hope is that the Olympic Spirit of peace and cooperation between nations is upheld during this World Cup. My thoughts and prayers are with Apolo and the U.S. team.
- Joanna, AAO webmistress
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Pictures: Album # 45 (Marquette World Cup pictures) added.
Media: 4 articles added.
Another Auction to Benefit Zoutou | The Gift
Linda J. has put another Apolo McDonald's pin up for auction to benefit Zoutou | The Gift. Click here to view the auction!
Utah's Olympic Legacy: Opportunity Emerges Clip
View a clip from Endeavor Productions' hour-long film. Apolo and his dad, Yuki, are shown briefly. The film's premise is that the true legacy of the 2002 Games may lie with the facilities left in its wake. Click here for more information and the clip.
Monday, November 3, 2003
Pictures: Album # 44 (Anita's Marquette pictures) added.
Media: 1 article added.
Auction to Benefit Zoutou | The Gift
Linda J. has put an Apolo McDonald's pin up for auction to benefit Zoutou | The Gift. Click here to view the auction!
World Cup Speedskating Commemorative Poster
The Mining Journal is producing a limited number of commemorative photo collage posters featuring Apolo. The only way to purchase a poster is to order by U.S. mail. Send $2.00 (to cover production, shipping and handling) to:
World Cup Speedskating Commemorative Poster
The Mining Journal
PO Box 430
Marquette, MI 49855
(Thanks to Penny Hubble from NMU for the info!)
World Cup & National Speedskating Championships Planning Groups
Two new Yahoo! Groups have been created for fans thinking about or planning to attend the World Cup to be held in Bormio, Italy, February 13-15, 2004; and the U.S. National Speedkskating Championships to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, February 26-29, 2004::
Bormio World Cup Planning Group
U.S. National Speedkskating Championships Planning Group
Travel Packages for Upcoming Short Track Events
A message from Julia Agostinelli:
"Based upon the success of the "VIP Package" at Marquette, more comprehensive "plans" are being reviewed for future World Cups AND THE OLYMPICS! US Speedskating is looking into the feasibility of an airfare-hotel-tickets package for World Cups and the Olympics.
"My job is to gauge the amount of interests from fellow enthusiasts! How many would be seriously interested in such a plan for World Cups (North America and Abroad) and/or Olympics? Please think carefully about whether or not you can actually travel abroad, so as not to inflate USS expectations."
Please respond directly to JAAgostin@aol.com
< updates archive >
October '03 | September '03 | August'03 |July '03 |June '03 | May '03 | April '03 | March '03 | February '03 | January '03 | December '02 | November '02 | October '02 | September '02 | August '02 | July '02 | May/June '02 |
In Apolo's Name - AAO Fans Unite:
In Apolo's Name: "Apolo fans unite to help build a new Ronald McDonald House in Seattle."
This is a wonderful way for us to show our appreciation for Apolo and help ill children and their families at the same time! Give whatever you can, whether it's a few dollars or $500. Every little bit helps! [Click here to buy a t-shirt to benefit In Apolo's Name.]
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Apolo Anton Ohno or his agents, the United States Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, or the International Skating Union. This is simply a non-commercial fan site.
The Apolo Anton Ohno Portal design © 2002 by Joanna Blackwell.
