Diabetes does not have to be a barrier to athletic achievement. In winter sports, it seems that having diabetes doesn't preclude young men and women from competing at the highest level. Chris Southwell, a British extreme snowboarder, has proved this time and time again. Now, a young skier with diabetes has been selected for an international competition.
Cross-country skier Kris Freeman has been named as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics ski team. The team will be competing for the chance of winning a gold medal in Vancouver next month. Kris suffers from the more rare form of diabetes, type 1, and requires daily injections of insulin to manage his condition.
The skier will compete in five separate Olympic events, which include freestyle, sprint, pursuit and a huge 50km mass start classic. Kris will wear an insulin pump during the race which allows him to adjust the supply of insulin whilst racing.
The skier, who is 29 years old, reportedly said: "I'm motivated to win for my country and myself, but to also prove to detractors that it's possible to compete against the world's best cross-country skiers, even with type 1 diabetes ."
Skier qualifies for Olympics despite diabetes
Thu, 21 Jan 2010
Recommended links
Diabetes forumDiabetes mylifestyle
Diabetes donate
Diabetes book reviews
Diabetes alert ID wristband
The Diet Plate for People with Diabetes
Diabetes pensions and annuities
Self monitoring no benefit for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes gene link with childhood obesity
Cardiovascular Risk linked with insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes
New type 1 diabetes drug
Increased type 2 diabetes risk in China
Label change for type 2 diabetes drug
Early type 1 diabetes detection markers identified
Type 2 diabetic women face heartbeat risk
Fat cell size can predict type 2 diabetes in women
Type 1 diabetes prediction
Amongst type 1 diabetes patient intensive control halves complications
Type 1 diabetes children often overweight
Type 1 diabetes cases will double
Pancreatitis risk increased by type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes and sexual dysfunction
Many type 1 diabetes cases are misdiagnosed
Stem cells to delay type 1 diabetes onset
Learn about type 2 diabetes
Ethnic group influences type 2 diabetes risk
Testosterone lower amongst men with type 2 diabetes
Multimedia support for type 1 diabetes children
Type 1 diabetes treatment breakthrough
Type 2 diabetes patients should get CBT from nurses and GPs
Weekly injection could aid type 2 diabetes treatment
First saliva test for type 2 diabetes
Get forum updates, competition previews & diabetes community news.
