Apolo Anton Ohno will just have to settle for eight medals — a number that makes him the most decorated Winter Olympian America has seen.
Ohno's eighth medal came on the 42-lap speedskating relay Friday night, of which he was responsible for the final two laps. It looked as if Ohno and the U.S. would capture the silver medal before South Korea's Kwak Yoon-gy edged past Ohno.
Ohno had earlier been disqualified in the 500m final for apparently causing a crash on the final turn, attemping to pass Canadian Francois-Louis Tremblay. Ohno's right leg reportedly sent Tremblay spinning into the wall. South Korean Sung Si-bak also went down, although it may have been unrelated.
Ohno would have finished in second behind Canada's Charles Hamelin if not for the disqualification.
"There was no space between the skaters," Ohno said. "There was a fast pace from the beginning. I had so much speed that I put my hand up to not run into the Canadian before me. I guess the judge saw something I didn't."
Ohno said the relay medal was most important to him because he trained with teammates J.R. Celski, Travis Jayner and Jordan Malone year-round. "They pour their heart and soul into this sport as well. I want to be
able to share a medal with these guys and we did. We delivered."
Canada's team leader, Yves Hamelin, considers Ohno one of the top five short track skaters, saying that "he's one of the smartest racers." Rival Lee Ho-suk councured, saying "I will be sorry to see him leave the world of short
track when he does."
The 27-year-old Ohno is contemplating retirement, although he is not closing the door just yet. "I never say never," Ohno said. "I need a break from this sport that's been very good to me."
U.S. national coach Jimmy Jang harbors hope that he can convince Ohno to compete in the 2014 Olympics, which will be held in Sochi, Russia.
