J.R. Celski

John Robert "J.R." Celski (born July 17, 1990) is an American short track speed skater and two-time medalist (two bronze) in the Winter Olympics.
At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Celski won bronze in the 1500 m and the 5000 m relay. His bronze medal in the 1500 m was a result of two Korean skaters crashing into each other. Leading into the crash, he was in fifth place. Five months before the Olympics, Celski suffered a gruesome injury when he gashed his left thigh by his skate blade and was uncertain if he would compete at the Olympics.
Celski's breakthrough performance was at the 2009 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships where he won five medals (two gold, one silver, two bronze). Overall, Celski has won two gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals at the World Championships. He also has one bronze medal at the World Team Championships and five medals (two gold, one silver, three bronze) at the World Junior Championships.
Celski was born in Monterey, California where his father was serving in the U.S. Army. He was raised in Federal Way, Washington.] His father, Robert, is of Polish descent and his mother, Sue, is of Filipino descent. Celski has two older brothers, Chris and David; David serves as Captain in the United States Army, and Chris is in fashion as an executive at Nordstrom. Celski attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California, as well as Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington, graduating with high honors in the Merit Scholars Program. After the 2010 Winter Olympics, Celski initially intended to start his first year of college at the University of California, Berkeley; however, he has now delayed his college plans in order to focus on his new business promoting the Seattle arts scene, M.A.D. Northwest. Before switching to speed skating after seeing the 2002 Winter Olympics, Celski was a champion-class in-line skater. He missed the minimum age requirement for the 2006 Winter Olympics by 17 days
Celski has a black and grey chest piece of a sun and an eagle which are patriotic symbols inspired by his Polish and Filipino heritage.