Time for some skating in circles

Well crap. I just realized that I’ve been posting on the Seahawks blog all day instead of the Olympics blog. Sorry about that. Should be fixed in a minute, so you’ll be able to catch up with stuff I’ve put up there today.

Anyway. I’m here at the Pacific Coliseum for some short track speed skating. The main event tonight is the men’s 1,500 meters, a race that features two skaters from Washington: Apolo Ohno and JR Celski, both of Federal Way. Ohno is two medals from becoming the most decorated American Olympian, while Celski is making his return to international competition after suffering a nasty crash that cut open his leg and required 60 stitches.

Neither Ohno or Celski is considered a favorite to medal here, but in this sport, you just never know. I earlier predicted, half jokingly, that Ohno would cross the line fifth, but medal because of some obscure rule leading to a disqualification, and I think I’ll stick with that prediction. Like Ohno, Celski is stronger in the shorter events than the 1,500. Koreans are favored to sweep the medals, but again, you never know. Also keep an eye on Canada’s Charles Hamelin. He is a contender, and should he win, he would become the first Canadian to ever win a gold medal on Canadian soil.

Updates coming soon.

6:45: The first round of heats just ended, and both Apolo Ohno and JR Celski got through pretty easily. Celski cruised to second place in his heat, while Ohno sat in the back for most of his before making an impressive move late to pass the field and cruise to a win.

They’ll both be in the semifinals coming up soon.

6:50: Celski and Ohno are through to the finals after both finished second in their semifinals.

And now we’re watching heats of the women’s 3,000-meter relay. I had forgotten just how crazy these short-track relays are. You’ve got 16 people on the ice at once on a hockey-size rink. I’m not really sure what’s going on some times, but good times nonetheless.