It wasn’t how he planned on spending the 2009-2010 World Cup short track speedskating season, but J.R. Celski of Federal Way is making the best of it. Celski, a short track speedskater, fell on his blade and sliced open his thigh during the U.S. Olympic Trials for Short Track Speedskating in Marquette, MI, during September. The resulting injury could have been devastating, but Celski is fighting back to get in shape in order to skate during the Olympic Winter Games in February.

Immediate surgery in Marquette was followed by a trip back to Salt Lake City and a consultation with five-time Olympic gold medalist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eric Heiden.

“Working with Heiden was awesome,” Celski said. “It’s an experience I never thought I’d get. I never thought I’d need his help. He’s a very humble guy and I couldn’t even tell he was a gold-medal Olympian.”

Because of his performance during the Olympic Trials, Celski was nominated to the Olympic team and is now relying on fellow teammates to earn him Olympic starting positions during the four World Cup events. He plans to attend the ISU World Cup #3 in Montreal on November 5-8 to cheer on the U.S. team which includes two-time Olympians Apolo Anton Ohno (Seattle, WA) and Allison Baver (Sinking Spring, PA).

Currently, Celski is receiving physical therapy and rehabilitation at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s training facility in Colorado Springs, CO. Next week, he plans to start walking with full weight on his leg while still increasing his range of motion and strength. He's not sure when he'll get back on the ice, but he's grateful he can.

“I’m just taking it one step at a time,” Celski said. “I know getting back on the ice will be tough. (The USOC) staff won’t let me push too hard. They know if I get ahead of myself, we could take two steps back.”