source: Marv Dumon - examiner.com 

Filipino-American and U.S. Olympic short track speed skater J.R. Celski, 19, was disqualified in a physical and contentious race today at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games being held in Vancouver, Canada.

The race resulted in crowd boos.

In his bench, Celski attempted to contain his disappointment after the ruling was issued and took off his shirt.  He appeared, however, to be visibly emotional.

J.R. Celski sported a "three stars and a sun" Philippine flag-referenced tattoo on his chest, as shown on NBC and affiliate television networks this evening.

Competitive Race >


In the final lap, Celski was just about tied for second place and poised to reach the medal event finals for the Men's 1500m in short track speed skating.

Francois Hamelin of Canada, bumped Celski from behind which caused a split-second reaction from the Filipino American and Federal Way, Washington native.

Television replays also appeared to show that the Canadian briefly held Celski which caused him to lose his position in the race.

After the steep turn, Celski fell out of position and the rest of the speed skaters advanced to the medal event finale.  It was the final lap and simply too late to catch up.


Judges ruled that Celski knocked the Canadian Hamelin to the ground, which earned the former a disqualification.  Additionally, it was ruled that Celski was not in qualifying position when the bump took place, albeit he was milli-seconds away from such a qualifying position (second place).

Each of the other three skaters advanced to the final.

J.R. Celski continues to possess a promising future in Olympic speed skating and will be 23 years old when when the 2014 Winter Games are held in Sochi, Russia.

  Update >

   
Teammate Apolo Anton Ohno advanced to the final and earned a bronze medal just milli-seconds ahead of the fourth and fifth place finishers.  South Korea swept the gold and silver medals.  In another physical race, Ohno was slightly bumped by a Canadian speed skater and the U.S. Olympian stumbled out of balance and briefly into last place.  In the last and final lap, Ohno would charge back into third place in a razor thin edge for bronze.
   
J.R. Celski's run for Olympic gold received praise from the press and television audience for the manner in which the young Olympian has had to overcome adversity in order to compete in Vancouver.

At the Olympic trials in September, he crashed into the protective barrier of the ice rink and the blade was thrust into Celski's leg reaching the Femur bone.  The accident required 60 stitches and doctors wondered if Celski would be able to walk again.  Just two and a half months later, Celski was skating again.
    
In popular media, J.R. Celski is being featured on a television commercial spot for 24 Hour Fitness that have made its way onto several major American networks. YouTube Video:  24 Hour Fitness Commercial with J.R. Celski.