Zero regrets. On Monday night, renowned speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno challenged students at Oklahoma State U. to live a life with no regrets whether dealing with a relationship, preparation for a test or a business opportunity.
To help introduce Ohno was current OSU wrestling coach and fellow Olympian John Smith.
“He shows that with sacrifice and commitment you can achieve greatness,” Smith said. “I respect what he (Ohno) has done. In a sport that is constantly striving for attention, this guy did it.”
Ohno took the audience on a trip through his life, beginning at his first exposure to speed skating when he was only 14.
“When I first saw the Olympic games, I saw something I had never seen before,” Ohno said. “I saw these guys skating around a hockey rink on 18-inch blades that are 1-millimeter-thick, going 35 to 40 miles an hour, inches from each other, leaning at these impossible angles. I thought, ‘Wow, I could do something like that.’”
From there, Ohno’s father placed him in classes and training. Within a short time he was able to place first in time trials. Instead of progressing, Ohno fell into a slump and placed last at the next year’s trials. It was there that he decided to become one of the best speed skaters.
“I didn’t dedicate myself and I didn’t sacrifice,” Ohno said. “My father told me, ‘I don’t care what you do. You need to dedicate 100 percent to whatever that is. Whatever you do you’re going to do it to the best of your ability.’”
After the sort of revelation he had, Ohno went on to make the Olympic team. Overall he has acquired eight Olympic medals, making him the most decorated winter Olympian.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Ohno was a guest on “Dancing with the Stars.” With dancing partner Junliane Hough, Ohno won the show.
“This 18-year-old girl taught me a lot of life lessons,” Ohno said. “The first thing I had to learn was opening up. She taught me to show my inner emotion.”
Now, Ohno travels around the country speaking to middle school kids. He gives these motivational talks hoping to make a difference in the students’ lives. By telling his life story he shows them that they can turn their lives around and achieve great things.
The Wes Watkins center was filled to the brim. With students, faculty among others in attendance, Ohno’s message reached and made an impact on many.
“I thought he was very inspirational,” OSU freshman John Engelbrecht said. “It definitely had an effect on me. It made me want to try to be more conscious of how much I put forth in everything I do.”