The Filipino-American speedskater J.R. Celski will lead the United States short-track speed skating team which will compete in the upcoming 2014 Sochi Olympics to be held in Russia this coming February, 2014.
The 23-year-old skater is one of the favorite to win the competition, this will be his second chance to compete in the world’s most prestigious winter games. Fil-Am J.R. Celski will try to follow the footsteps of world-renowned skater, Apolo Anton Ohno.
Apolo Anton Ohno is considered as the most decorated Winter Olympian in Unites States history, with a total of eight gold medals under his name. He retired and is currently doing some TV commentaries. The United States team is now focus on the Filipino American as their main man in the upcoming competition.
According to some sports analyst in the US, J.R. Celski is “America’s best hope” at the short track. The Fil-Am also knows that he is under a lot of pressure to bring home the much-coveted gold medal as he will try to step into Ohno’s m(–foul word(s) removed–)ive void in the U.S. Team.
As an Olympian, J.R. Celski previously won two bronze medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics, in Vancouver, Canada. Aside from his achievement in the Olympics, he is the current 500-meter world-record holder and ranked 11th worldwide.
In the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, J.R. Celski will compete in the five hundred (500), one thousand (1,000) and one thousand five hundred (1,500) meters event.
Joining him as part of the U.S. Olympic Team are Chris Creveling, Kyle Carr, Jordan Malone and Eddy Alvarez. The Fil-Am J.R. (stands for John Robert) is the son of Filipina named Sue Sabado and Polish American Robert Celski. He is proud to represent the United States and at the same time to represent the Philippines and Poland on the world stage.
