He is now ahead of Bonnie Blair, who has 6, and Eric Heiden, who has 5.
They were speed skaters, too.
Now, some may say Apolo's accomplishment isn't as great as Bonnie and Eric's were.
After all, Eric's medals were all gold. While five of Bonnie's were gold, and one was silver. Apolo only has two gold medals. He also has two silver and three bronze medals.
But the thing about it is, Bonnie and Eric skated alone. For the most part.
Apolo skates short track, with as many as 7 other skaters on the same ice.
With all the pushing and shoving that goes along with such a crowded oval.
It's a lot harder that way.
So, though he may have fewer gold medals
he is just as much a champion as anyone.
And that is as it should be.
.
2 comments:
I agree. To be as consistently at or near the top in as rough and tumble a sport as short-track, shows a serious fortitude and some serious athleticism.
One of the things I love about short-track (and also about the similar snow cross and ski cross) is that collisions, falls and other mishaps are so common, and the results therefore so unpredictable, that you just don't see the sense of entitlement (I deserve a gold) in their participants the way you can in more predictable sports. You just don't get to the top in races like these without realizing that anyone can go down.
Cindy, I totally agree. That's what makes short track so exciting. Any one can win any race.
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