Skier qualifies for Olympics despite diabetes

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 .”