Printable Biography of Apolo Anton Ohno

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At 14, he became the youngest speed skater in history to take the title of U.S. champion in short track. A year later, he was competing at the Winter Olympics in Nagano where he finished last in the trials.

Four years later, at the Salt Lake City Games, he became the first American to take the men's title in speed skating, winning Olympic gold in the 1500 m event and a silver medal in the 1000 m.

Both medals were awarded amid much controversy, however, after Ohno won gold by placing second in the 1500 m event - after popular favorite, Kim Dong-sung, was disqualified for cross-tracking. It was a judgement which many critics claimed was the outcome of Ohno's attempting to disrupt his opponent's performance on the track.

A week later, and equally noteworthy, was Ohno's award of the silver medal for the 1000 m event following a spectacular spill in which the American regained his footing and raced to come in second at the finish.

Since then, Ohno has continued to maintain his standing year after year as World Cup champion in the sport. He was a favorite to repeat his success at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, ultimately taking home a gold medal in the 500m and two bronze medals in the 1000m and Relay (and tying him with skater Eric Heiden for the most medals of any U.S. male Winter Olympian.)

Off the ice, Ohno has been linked romanticaly to fellow-skater Allison Baver. He has also become a media darling of sorts with photo spreads appearing in Cosmo and Esquire.

In March 2007, the skates come off when the 24-year-old Olympic champ paired with professional dancer Julianne Hough to compete as the youngest contestant in the lineup of celebrity dancers in the ABC hit series, "Dancing with the Stars."

His moves on the dance floor proved to be every bit as good as his performance on ice as he waltzed off with the show's championship trophy.