Apolo Ohno claimed his first major speed skating title at the US Championships at the age of 14—after just six months of training. Over the next decade and a half, he went from kid prodigy to the most decorated US Winter Olympian in history—a title he still holds—earning eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating across the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Games. Ohno remains involved in the Olympic movement: He was an NBC sports analyst for the Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, and is a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and the Winter Olympics. He is currently on the bid committees for the Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California.
"I loved being in Yakima with your wonderful team of colleagues, and felt the warmest reception. Yakima has become one of my highlights of being on the road off and on for the last few years. I would be thrilled to join you again some time in the future. Please extend my warmest appreciation to the entire team for everyone's hard work." - Bruce Feiler, Author, "Abraham"