APOLO OHNO DISQUALIFIED BY CANADIAN REFEREE [VIDEO]

Apolo Ohno was disqualified on Friday night after receiving a Silver Medal in Speed Skating in the Winter Olympics Vancouver. During the 500 meter race, Apolo Ohno had speed skated successfully and skillfully into the finals. One time Ohno skated on just one skate, to win an Olympic race.

Apolo Ohno has under his belt 7 Olympic Medals, Ohno was on his way to his 8^th medal. However, Ohno crossed the finish line of the speed skater race, and won the silver Olympic medal, but the medal was grabbed from him immediately by a Canadian referee.

Videos were watched after the race, which showed that Apolo Ohno had inadvertently pushed Fracois-Louis Tremblay right at the finish line

Canadian referee while the short track speed skater was accused of pushing a Canadian skater. American Apolo Ohno emphasized all he did was to touch him in order to keep his balance and didn’t push Francois-Louis Tremblay. After falling Tremblay had fallen, he got up and received the Bronze medal.

Charles Hamelin, a Canadian, received the gold medal for the Winter Olympics. The Silver Medal was awarded to South Korean Sung Si-Bak in place of Apolo Ohno. Ohno explained “I was short of space.” Ohno is now claiming that the race he was disqualified for was his last race. Who knows? Most athletes say that when they are mad. What do you think do you think Apolo Ohno will quit speed skating? I sure don’t. I am calling his bluff!

Comments: 10

MaryBeth W. Feb 27, 2010, 9:35am UTC

I think a lot of the top athletes forget the spirit of the games - respectfully representing your country on a world stage. Yes, a medal is an amazing achievement, but acting like an ass because you didn't, doesn't show respect for your country, sport, or fellow athletes!

But I suppose, anywhere there are cameras and human nature mixed with adrenaline and emotion, you can get less-than-respectful reactions!

D Dur Feb 27, 2010, 1:30pm UTC

You obviously did not see the race. I suppose you are a believer in just keeping your mouth shut under all circumstance. You would have been great in Nazi Germany. It was quite obvious that the sole reviewer, a Canadian judge, ruled to advance the Canadian skater. The judge should also be held to some standard. Maybe you should keep your uneducated comments to yourself.

Matthew M. Feb 27, 2010, 2:20pm UTC

D Dur, you don't have to be rude about it.

MaryBeth W. Feb 27, 2010, 10:55pm UTC

D dur, I have to wonder, if you were Canandian, would you be so obviously unbiased?

I have no idea what I would have done in Nazi Germany. Thank goodness I never had to make that life saving/taking choice.

Of course, not sure what Nazi Germans have to do with the Olypmics in 2010, but I'm sure it has all to do with the subject of respect rather than life and death!

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Matthew M. Feb 27, 2010, 2:20pm UTC

I watched it and it did not look like Ohno pushed him. It is very possible the referee was letting his bias distort his decision. There should be more than one person making the call.

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August Lady Feb 27, 2010, 2:32pm UTC

Oops, no more video :(

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Karen Genaw Feb 27, 2010, 6:04pm UTC

unfair-Apolo should have the silver. The judge was unfair. Therefore, The judge needs to
be replaced.

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Bill Kerekesh Feb 27, 2010, 10:14pm UTC

I believe Apolo was ripped off and the referee was compromised. Apolo did not have his hand on the Canadian when he fell. Yet, the Canadian who won gold DID have his hand on the Korean when he fell. Plus, the lead Canadian appeared to give the Korean a shove. Either DQ both Apolo AND the Canadian who won the gold or neither of them.

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MaryBeth W. Feb 27, 2010, 11:01pm UTC

My comment really has to do with the self control and respect that these high level athletes have at these games. The judge may have been wrong, and it would not have been the first time. However, I'm really commenting on how the athlete reacts to that. When someone makes a bad call or a good call, it still is up to the athlete to represent his/her country and not say anything that comes to mind. He can think whatever he wants. But when he's up in front of the world, he has certain responsibilities. There are proper actions to be taken when you've been wronged. Noone gets taken seriously when spouting off for a camera.

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APOLO OHNO DISQUALIFIED BY CANADIAN REFEREE [VIDEO]

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