Eds: APNewsNow.

AP Photo NYJD105 NEW YORK (AP) Short track speedskater J.R. Celski is confident he'll recover from a deep gash to his leg in time for February's Vancouver Olympics.

The 19-year-old Celski crashed during the U.S. championships Sept. 12, his right skate blade slicing into his left leg near the knee. After surgery, he was on crutches for about six weeks.

Celski said Wednesday at a ceremony at Rockefeller Center celebrating the 100-day countdown to Vancouver that he'll resume skating in two weeks. He already had enough points to be nominated to the Olympic team when he crashed.

Celski has been working on his rehab with Dr. Eric Heiden, who won five gold medals in long track speedskating at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

Celski won five medals at this year's world championships.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-04-09 1521CST | save this article / add to your favorites list