Team USA avoided being shut out at the Sochi Olympics in speed skating, winning a silver medal in the 5000 meter relay.
“It’s so rewarding leaving here with a medal, not empty handed, said team leader JR Celski to NBC. “I’m so proud of my team propelling us to this medal. We worked hard all year and all of our lives to get to this moment right now, and very proud of these guys.”
Celski was joined on the podium with teammates Eddy Alvarez, Chris Creveling & Jordan Malone.
The relay was the last chance for Team USA to leave with a medal. They were completely shut out in the individual events.
Celski was considered the best hope for the Americans and the heir apparent to eight-time Olympic medal winner Apolo Ohno who retired from the sport.
Celski himself won two bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but managed only a fourth in the 1,500 meter individual race, a sixth in the 500 meter and he crashed in the quarterfinals of the 1,000 meter.
At just 23, you can expect the Filipino American to be back in 2018.
You can watch highlights of their relay race along with a post race interview with Team USA on NBC.
