‘It’s how you finish’: Apollo Ohno praises Federal Way’s Corinne Stoddard after bronze medal win

Federal Way’s Corinne Stoddard received high praise from fellow Federal Way native and eight-time Olympic medal winner, Apollo Ohno, after she won bronze in the Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 1500m on Friday.

Stoddard had a rocky Olympic showing in four of the five events she participated in, placing outside the top 20 in both the 1,000-meter and 500-meter short-track speed skating events, and ranking eighth in both the 3,000-meter relay and the mixed team relay, according to the Olympics.

The Federal Way product set her woes aside to deliver a stellar performance throughout the 1500m event, racing her way to the podium despite any setbacks.

Apollo Ohno shouts out Federal Way companion after 2026 Olympic Games medal

Ohno wasted no time in celebrating Stoddard’s achievement by taking to Instagram to post a video of himself, in attendance, applauding for her as she took a victory lap around the track.

“After falls and disappointments to start the games, she reset and said screw it!” Ohno stated. “I’m going to show up and crush this because I have nothing to lose! And today she smashed the final and won bronze!! For life. An Olympic medalist. Congratulations.”

 

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Ohno’s praise continued in the comment sections, shouting out her perseverance and determination to stand on the podium.

“She did this. Amidst the doubts and insecurities, and hard start,” Ohno said. “It isn’t how you start, it’s HOW YOU FINISH!!!!!”

In an interview with NBC, Stoddard spoke on her victory, noting it “Just felt good to get back to skating like myself.”

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