Apolo Ohno Retires From Speed Skating

After winning his eight Olympic medal at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Apolo Ohno is getting ready for Sochi, Russia, in 2014, but not as a skater, as a corespondent.

"I never wanted to officially announce a retirement, never felt I needed to. It works for some people. For me my goal was to be as busy as possible, to make sure my transition after competition went well. I've been blessed to have success off the ice," said Ohno to USA Today.

From competing on Dancing With the Stars last year. The 30-year-old has appeared in cameo roles on more than a few TV shows, most notably, Syfy TV movie, Tasmanian Devils. He ran the New York Marathon, became a spokesperson for exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), a condition he was diagnosed with in 2000 (but never spoke about publicly during his career) and he gained experience as a correspondent for NBC Sports, working at the London Olympics. He also recently became the host of Game Show Network's Minute to Win It.

"I never really mentioned (retirement). It's less than 12 months from the Olympic Games so I thought people would catch on. For me it was pretty much common sense. An Olympic pursuit really takes a full three to four years of Olympic preparation."

Fans shouldn't be shocked with the official announcement as he has not competed since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where he won three medals--one silver and two bronze. He has also confessed that he hasn't trained on ice since then.

But, being an athlete, he admitted that it will be tough going to Sochi, but not competing.

It's going to be very different, it was very difficult in London. I never wanted to really think about retiring (in 2010). Internally I knew I was satisfied with my career after the 2006 Olympics. But I'm proud of myself (after 2010). I had zero regrets," according to USA Today.

With Ohno's retirement the most decorated Winter Olympian is Bode Miller, who has claimed 5 medals over his Olympic career that started at the 2002 games in Salt Lake City.