OHNO BREAKS MEDAL RECORD

As Apolo Ohno skated slowly around the rink at Pacific Coliseum, he held both the American flag and seven fingers above his head. The fingers represented the seven medals Ohno has now won in three Olympics, the most of any American winter athlete. He secured his latest medal late Saturday, capturing the bronze in short -track speedskating’s 1,000-meter race. It marked Ohno’s second medal of these Olympics and made him what the United States Olympic Committee described as the “most decorated” American Winter Olympian of all time. (The bedazzled figure skater Johnny Weir might disagree.) “It feels amazing,” Ohno said. “In our sport, it’s crazy to win one medal, for any athlete.” In the first row sat someone who knows something about medals, about racing and winning and thrusting both arms skyward after the finish. That someone was Michael Phelps, the swimming sensation, and he applauded Ohno’s historic finish. (NY Times)