The heats and semifinals are completed at the Richmond Olympic Oval in the men’s Short Track Speed Skating 1500m, and Apolo Anton Ohno has made his way into the finals, where he’ll skate for gold -- and U.S. Olympic history.
Apolo Anton Ohno Skates For Gold, U.S. History In Men’s 1500m
Ohno, who already has five career Olympic medals, has his eyes set on becoming the most decorated American male ever in the Winter Games. Arguably the most well-known US Olympian, Ohno is currently even with long-track speed skater Eric Heiden, who took home five gold medals in an epic performance at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. A medal in Saturday night’s 1500m finals and Ohno would overtake Heiden; two medals in these Games and he would become the most decorated American Winter Olympic athlete ever, passing speed skater Bonnie Blair, who has six.
In tonight’s semifinals, Ohno started last, moved up to sixth, then third, got into second position with two laps to go and crossed the finish line just behind the leader.
Joining Ohno in the finals is fellow American J.R. Celski, a 19-year old who is making his Olympic debut. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.
More: SB Nation’s full coverage of the Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics Medal Count Tracker.
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