Apolo Ohno talks of missing his mother

NEW YORK - Apolo Anton Ohno starts from the beginning in his new book: He opens by writing about the mother he's never known.

The record-setting Olympic speedskater finds himself increasingly curious to learn more about where he comes from. He understands why she hasn’t contacted him, Ohno told The Associated Press on Thursday, and believes she feels it’s too late in his life to do so. He’d have to be the one to reach out, and Ohno is considering it.

“You think about when is a good time, and if there’s a good time,” he said.

Ohno, 28, was raised by his father after his mother left when he was young. He said he began “Zero Regrets” by mentioning his mother because “I wanted to show readers the real story from the heart.”

Writing the book was just one of the many endeavors that have kept Ohno on the move since he became the United States’ most decorated Winter Olympian in Vancouver in February, winning three medals to increase his career total to eight.

He’s launching a nutritional supplement business, speaking to colleges and corporations, working with middle school kids and auditioning for acting roles. He’s even making an appearance next week on “Dancing with the Stars,” which he won in 2007.

And Ohno, who always said he was too busy training for a love life, acknowledges with a sly grin that “I’m dating.”

Ohno has yet to decide whether he’ll try to compete at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He says he needs 21/2 years to prepare.