Though we won’t be seeing retired speedskater Apolo Ohno on the ice this Winter Olympics, we may see still see his face in South Korea.
Speedskater Apolo Ohno is one of the most recognizable American Winter Olympic athletes, but he you won’t be seeing him in Pyeongchang, South Korea… at least not competing.
Ohno retired from speedskating in 2013, though, based on his Instagram, he does appear to be in South Korea supporting Team USA this month. Ohno will also be covering the sport he once dominated as an NBC correspondent.
Before retiring, Ohno amassed a total of eight Olympic medals including two gold, two silver, and four bronze. He was the youngest US national champion at just 14 years-old. He is also the most decorated American Winter Olympian.
He won his first Olympic medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City (Gold in 1500 m and silver in 1000 m), he would go on to win a gold and two bronze medals in the 2006 Turin Olympics, and a silver and two bronze in Vancouver in 2010.
It’s ironic that Ohno will be heading to South Korea as he was once one of the most hated men of that country.
“Korean people are very passionate about sports and short track speedskating,” Ohno told the Sioux City Journal. “The 2002 Olympic Games was one that was very closely held to the chest. They came home with zero medals on the men’s side and they took that very personally.”
Luckily for Ohno (and us) the country seems to have moved on.
Outside of speedskating Ohno competed (and won) ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.
Next: Olympic short track speedskating schedule
The 2018 Winter Olympics begin on Feb. 9 and will air daily until Feb. 25. Short track speedskating begins on Feb. 10 at 5 a.m. ET, with events taking place throughout both weeks.