Oregon Public Broadcasting

At a pre-Olympic test event this weekend, Seattle native Apolo Ohno was bested by Korean and Canadian skaters.

Vancouver, Canada put on a short track speed skating World Cup, offering a preview of the 2010 Winter Games. Correspondent Tom Banse was there and has this report.

Seattle native Apolo Ohno (middle) digs for the finish during short track speed skating competition in Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum.

Speed skater Apolo Ohno says it’s been more than ten years since he competed so close to home in the wild, unpredictable roller derby on ice.

Apolo Ohno: “I grew up in the Seattle area. I spent a lot of time back and forth from Vancouver to Seattle, vice versa. It’s kind of where I learned to skate.”

Ohno led the U.S. relay team to a gold medal at his homecoming. But otherwise he was kept off the World Cup podium by younger competitors.

No matter, the 26-year-old made mental notes for a more successful return 16-months from now. That’ll be his third Winter Olympics.

Apolo Ohno: “The venue is very good. I think once we have a packed house it will be pretty amazing.”

The Vancouver 2010 organizing committee is holding a series of test events like this one all through the winter at its newly built or renovated Olympic venues.

World Cup competitions in biathlon, ski jumping, snowboard and bobsledding are among those to come.

Web extras:

Upcoming Vancouver/Whistler Olympics test events