Two-time Olympic bronze medalist J.R. Celski won't have the chance to skate for an individual world championship this year because of an ankle injury.

Celski tried Friday to give it a go during the U.S. National Championships in short track at the Utah Olympic Oval but clearly was not healed from the injury suffered in a three-skater crash during a December World Cup event in Japan.

"It's a bummer, but in the long run, this is not that important of a meet to risk (further) injury," Celski said Friday.

He still has dreams of competing next season and at the Sochi Olympics.

He started the race Friday just so he can keep alive hopes of racing in the relay at worlds.

There's a chance he could be chosen Sunday for a discretionary spot on the U.S. World Cup team and compete in the relay. But that is up to the five-member selection committee.

Celski, who didn't want to go into details about the injury, called it an unfortunate turn of events.

"I was on the bottom of the pile and came out the unlucky one," he said of the Dec. 4 crash in Nagoya, where he had won 1,500 silver earlier in the competition.

It's not the first injury for Celski, and not the most serious.

At the U.S. trials leading up to the 2010 Olympics, Celski's left thigh was sliced open by a skate blade during a high-speed crash. The cut was six inches wide and two inches deep, and would require 60 stitches once he could remove the skate.

Fortunately the blade missed a main artery and cut only muscle.

He won two bronze medals in Vancouver five months later.

"He's been through a near-death injury," mother Sue Celski said Friday. "Hopefully this will be it as far as injuries for his lifetime as an athlete."

Celski didn't skate last year, taking a year off after the Olympics to hit the road as a pseudo groupie, following Seattle-area hip-hop musicians on tour for a 90-minute documentary set to debut at film festivals this year.

During the time away, he said he developed a second love for the sport that he hadn't felt before. He came back strong, with World Cup silver and bronze medals this season before the crash.

"Before I left, I was just kind of that kid out there having fun, doing what I did best and didn't really take it seriously outside of the rink," he said in October. "Now, coming back, I want to do everything right. I want to be consistent for the next three years and know I can be the best in the world."

He still has that desire; he'll just have to wait until next year.

"I will always have that as long as I skate," Celski said.

Simon Cho win U.S. titles

Each time Lana Gehring decided it was time, she hit another gear and was gone.

Never mind that it was short track speed skating, where anything can typically happen.

Gehring made it look easy, winning five of six races over three days to claim the U.S. Short Track National Championship on Sunday.

"It's very exciting; it's my first one ever," Gehring said of winning a national title.

To win five races -- the 500, 1,000, 1,500, 3,000 super final and a time trial -- was as impressive as the extra gear she showed throughout the competition.

"It's short track," Gehring said. "You never know who's going to finish. Sometimes it doesn't matter how good you're skating. It's been a great weekend for me. I feel very fortunate."

The only person not surprised was U.S. short track coach Jae Su Chung.

"It's not a surprise for me when I see her training times," Chung said. "She is the strongest, fastest girl in the U.S. and for high-speed, top speed, she's No. 1 skater in the world."

He said once Gehring builds up her endurance and confidence, she should be a force for the 2014 Olympics.

Simon Cho, meanwhile, showed he already has made great strides since being diagnosed Aug. 1 with a lower-back fracture.

He won the 1,000-meter race Sunday to lock up the men's overall title, won last year by Jeff Simon, who is not skating this season because of a similar back fracture.

"This is my first national championship title and to have done that with an injury, I'm really pleased," Cho said.

Travis Jayner, at 29 the oldest member of the men's team, won the 3,000-meter race to finish second overall. Jordan Malone was third overall and John Henry-Krueger fourth.

The top three qualify to skate individually at the world championships in Shanghai in March.

Katherine Reutter, the four-time defending national champion, finished second in the 1,000 Sunday but fifth overall.

A five-member selection committee made two-time Olympic bronze medalist J.R. Celski a discretionary pick. He is recovering from a serious ankle injury suffered a month ago, and will be eligible to compete in individual events in the remaining World Cups but only in the relay at worlds.

Reutter could have been a discretionary pick as well. But she said Sunday she will have surgery on both hips immediately rather than try to press on at less than 100 percent.

The women's team is still strong even with Reutter out.

Alyson Dudek took silver in the 500, and bronze in the 1,000, 3,000, 1,500 and four-lap time trial to finish second overall at nationals. Jessica Smith was third overall and Emily Scott fourth. Vancouver Olympian Kimberly Derrick was a discretionary pick as was Tamara Frederick, who is competing in her inaugural World Cup season.

On Sunday, Gehring used an explosive move to grab the lead in the 1,000 with three laps to go. She quickly put six meters between her competitors.

Jayner, meanwhile, was finally celebrating what he called a legitimate individual win at nationals.

"The only other time I won a race at a U.S. Championship was the 500 a few years ago when everyone fell," Jayner said.

He said he draws inspiration from other older athletes who have made comebacks.

"I wasn't as good as these guys when I was their age, so I'm trying to make the most of it now," Jayner said.

Apolo Ohno, Janet Evans, Bryan Clay unveil BMWs

Speed, agility, athleticism. They're qualities that any automaker wants in a car. So who better to introduce the new BMW 3 Series than three U.S. Olympians.

Speed skater Apolo Ohno, swimmer Janet Evans and decathelon champ Bryan Clay were on hand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit today to introduce the popular compact luxury car and its environmentally friendly sibling, the ActiveHybrid 3.

The new 3 Series, which its North American introduction here, is hugely important for BMW. The model alone has accounted for about half of BMW's sales since it landed in the U.S. in 1987.

Besides its gorgeous looks, the new one should achieve some impression gas mileage, especially for the hybrid. The six-cylinder engine in the hybrid generates 335 horsepower, yet will get about 37 miles a gallon, says Klaus Draeger, BMW's development chief. The navigation system works with the motor when it knows the driver's route. When the "Intelligent Navigation System" knows the driver's route, it makes sure the car drives the last mile on electric power alone.

BMW unveiled the larger hybrid sedan, the ActiveHybrid 5, at today's show.


Apolo Ohno to co host Live! With Kelly
Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush was the first of five athletes to cohost "Live! With Kelly" this week with Kelly Ripa on the nationally syndicated talk show.

"It was smooth. I enjoyed it. I had a good time. It flew by. Before I knew it, the show was already over," Bush said. "If they would have me back, I would love to be back on the show."

The lineup for the rest of the week: NASCAR driver Carl Edwards (Tuesday), NFL broadcaster Boomer Esiason (Wednesday), ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer (Thursday) and Olympic skating champion Apolo Anton Ohno (Friday).

Cho and Gehring Crowned 2012 U.S. National Short Track Champions

The 2012 U.S. Short Track National Championships concluded today as Simon Cho (Laurel, MD) and Lana Gehring (Glenview, IL) captured the 2012 overall championship titles, a first for both Cho and Gehring, who dominated this weekend’s competition.

Cho won today’s 1000m, posting a time of 1:33.850, followed by Travis Jayner (Midland, MI) at 1:33.931, and Jordan Malone (Denton, TX) in third with 1:33.967. Today’s win in the 1000m was Cho’s fourth out of the six distances raced this weekend.

“I’m happy to start off this new year with a 2012 national championship title. I went  though a lot with my injury leading up to this championship and this weekend, so I’m happy not only to be able to qualify my spot on the World Team, but to come out on top,” said Cho.

Gehring continued an impressive weekend, winning both of today’s distances and capturing five out of the six titles up for grabs this weekend. Winning the 1000m, Gehring posted 1:31.129, followed by defending four-time U.S. Champion Katherine Reutter (Champaign, IL) at 1:31.539, and Alyson Dudek (Hales Corners, WI) in third with a time of 1:31.934.

In an exciting 3000m race Gehring and Jessica Smith (Melvindale, MI) fought for the lead in the 27-lap race, but Gehring crossed the finish first at 5:23.787, followed closely by Smith with 5:23.904, and Dudek in third with a time of 5:23.949.

“ It’s very exciting I had a great weekend and felt strong and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season," said Gehring. Looking ahead to the 2014 Olympics, Gehring explained, “the races are just stepping stones right now, with every step we take getting closer to the Sochi 2014 Games. I’m getting ready with every race I skate, it’s an exciting experience.”

The men’s 3000m was another close race with Jayner posting 5:00.291 and capturing the distance championship title. Malone was second at 5:00.485, and Kyle Carr (Peachtree City, GA) took third with 5:00.800.

The victory was sweet for Jayner who made it to the podium in five out of six distances this weekend. “It was great to win a race finally after two really close calls,” he said.

Reigning 1500m World Champion, Reutter announced she will be taking time off from the remainder of the 2011-12 season to undergo hip surgery to relieve an ongoing hip and back injury she has been fighting this season. “It’s better for me to try and be ready for next year, and the way to get ready is surgery as soon as possible,” she explained.

Extended results from today's races are available at the following links:

Sunday 1/8: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc5.pdf

Saturday 1/7: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc4.pdf

Friday 1/6: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc3.pdf

US Speedskating Announces 2012 Winter World Cup and World Championship Short Track Teams

Following today's competition, US Speedskating announced the rosters for the 2012 Winter World Cup and World Championship teams. Congratulations to the following skaters.

World Cup 5 (Moscow, RUS) Feb. 3-5 & World Cup 6 (Dordrecht, NED) Feb. 10-12

Lana Gehring (Glenview, IL)

Alyson Dudek (Hales Corners, WI)

Jessica Smith (Melvindale, MI)

Emily Scott (Springfield, MO)

Kimberly Derrick (Memphis, TN)

Tamara Fredrick (Park Ridge, IL)

Simon Cho (Laurel, MD)

Travis Jayner (Midland, MI)

Jordan Malone (Denton, TX)

John-Henry Krueger (Pittsburgh, PA)

J.R. Celski (Federal Way, WA)

Kyle Carr (Peachtree City, GA)

World Championships - Shanghai (CHN) March 9-11

Lana Gehring

Alyson Dudek

Jessica Smith

Emily Scott

Final Spot TBD (based on 2nd half WCup results)

Simon Cho

Travis Jayner

Jordan Malone

J.R. Celski

Final Spot TBD (based on 2nd half WCup results)

2012 U.S. National Short Track Championship Podium Results

Overall Men

1.  Simon Cho (3962 points)

2.  Travis Jayner (3656 points)

3.  Jordan Malone (3080 points)

Overall Ladies

1.  Lana Gehring (4900 points)

2.  Alyson Dudek (3245 points)

3.  Jessica Smith (3100 points)

4-Lap Time Trial

Men

1. Cho 37.706

2. Robert Lawrence (Gaffney, S.C.) 37.866

3. Kyle Uyehara (Lakewood, CA) 38.089

Ladies

1.  Smith 40.221

2. Gehring 40.241

3. Dudek 40.446

9-Lap Time Trial

Men

1. Jonathan Garcia (Houston, TX) 1:27.751

2. Cho 1:27.915

3. Jayner 1:28.123

Ladies

1. Gehring 1:30.245

2.  Smith 1:32.399

3. Katherine Reutter (Champaign, IL) 1:32.635

500m

Men

1.Cho 42.783

2.Malone 42.932

3.Jayner 43.219

Ladies

1.Gehring 44.62

2. Dudek 44.765

3. Emily Scott (Springfield, MO) 44.963

1000m

Men

1. Cho 1:33.850

2. Jayner 1:33.931

3. Malone 1:33.967

Ladies

1. Gehring 1:31.129

2. Reutter 1:31.539

3. Dudek 1:31.934

1500m

Men

1.John-Henry Krueger 2:20.937

2. Cho 2:20.942

3. Jayner 2:20.993

Ladies

1. Gehring 2:35.222

2. Scott 2:35.634

3. Dudek 2:36.300

3000m

Men

1.Jayner (5:00.291)

2. Malone (5:00.485)

3. Carr (5:00.800)

Ladies

1. Gehring (5:23.787)

2. Smith (5:23.904)

3.  Dudek (5:23.949)

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This post is brought to you by this bromantic moment


this post is dedicated to my bros...you all know who you are :3

I can't wait until August you guys...Summer Olympic discussions XD

Thanx to my bb xica_s for the update

I challenge wauwy to find out who the real Choverlord is >:)