Twinkle toes

Olympian Allison Baver had returned from an international speedskating competition, weary from days of travel and months of training.

She dropped her luggage in her room at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, then rushed to the facility’s dining hall in search of a TV.

Nothing was going to stop Baver from watching her U.S. speedskating teammate, two-time Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno, compete Monday on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

“I had never seen him dance like that,” Baver said after Ohno and professional Latin dancer Julianne Hough tied for third place in the reality show’s two-hour season premiere.

More than 50 residents at the Olympic Training Center wore bandannas and fake soul patches — Ohno’s choice of fashion statements — while watching Ohno shake his hips, flail his arms and smile for the camera.

Ohno, 24 and a former training center resident, looked relaxed alongside Hough in a black shirt, purple suspenders and black pants. His red bandanna matched the color of Hough’s sparkling dress.

Three judges awarded Ohno and Hough a 21 on a 30-point scale — three points fewer than leaders Joey Fatone (formerly of the boy band NSYNC) and Kym Johnson. The judges praised Ohno for his flair and footwork but criticized his posture and technical elements.

“I thought the scores should have been higher,” Baver said of Ohno. “I thought he did awesome. He performed really well. I knew he had it in him.”

Ohno is part of a cast that includes boxer Laila Ali, former “Cheers” star John Ratzenberger, former NBA star Clyde Drexler) and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.

“To see your friend on TV dancing it up with the best of them was pretty amazing,” wrestler Sally Roberts said. “There were moments when my heart was swelling up. I loved it. He was better than I thought.”

Ohno has five Olympic medals, tied with Eric Heiden for the most winter medals by a U.S. male. This month at the World Short Track Championships in Milan, Italy, he won the 1,500 meters and won three bronze medals.

A Seattle native, Ohno has lived in the Los Angeles area since the Turin Olympics ended. He had lived and trained in Colorado Springs for seven years.

Unlike the other 10 dancing partners, Ohno and Hough had limited practice time because of Ohno’s competition and travel schedule. Not many Olympic Training Center residents noticed.

“Around here, we’re used to seeing people do their sports very well,” said Eli Bremer, who competes in modern pentathlon.

“He looked good to me. He’s going to win. And he has a ton of people at the training center cheering for him.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0256 or brian.gomez@gazette.com