Aficionados of dancing call their activity dancesport — one word. The International Dancesport Federation has been working for years to get high heels and frilly clothing — and that’s just what the guys wear — into the Olympics.

They argue that it’s every bit as much a sport as figure skating, and they’re right. Except for the ice, dancing has everything skating does: snooty judges who speak a language similar to English, only more gushy; hard bodies; acres of skin; hot music; flashy outfits; sequins; weeping; swooning fans.

The judges were swept away by Ohno. Okay, they’re swept away by Geico commercials, too, but for Ohno, they pulled out all the stops.

“You would think he’s been dancing all his life,” enthused Len Goodman, the obligatory British judge.

“Out of all the athletes we’ve had in the past, Apolo has become the best, technical ballroom dancer,” gushed Carrie Ann Inaba, the American judge who made up in enthusiasm what she lacks in exotic accent.

“He reminds me of a cheetah, the fastest animal on earth,” hyperventilated Bruno Toniolo, who seemed incapable of giving you the time without making it into an exclamation of great import.
Ohno clutched his disco-ball trophy with the same joy he exhibited when he held up his gold medal in the Olympics. It was understandable. He went after it with the same determination and gusto. Like the Olympics, this was a competition, an athletic competition, and he wanted to win.

He was the best athlete out of all 11 celebrity contestants who started 10 weeks ago. And in the end, he was the best dancer.

Two years, two athletes, and they didn’t win on their fame as jocks. Smith and Ohno had to impress judges who may not have known who they were when the series began. The viewers, whose votes counted for half the final scores, for the most part weren’t the same viewers who watch 18 hours of sports every weekend.

But, they all knew an athlete when they saw one, an athlete who could dance a little.

MORE FROM OTHER SPORTS

Other sports Section Front

Man pleads not guilty in Andrews stalking case Armstrong’s new team announces lineup Chicago boxer dies after bout in Philadelphia Kimbo Slice to make UFC debut Dec. 5 DRF: Goldikova to target unprecedented 3rd BC Mile   Tony Hawk’s back for a ‘Ride’   Video: Globetrotters set to entertain troops ‘I have so much regret,’ N.M. soccer player says   Video: Crazy football finish in California   Slideshow: Top 20 fighters in the world Other sports Section Front   Add Other sports headlines to your news reader: