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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A U.S. cross-country skier who is expected to compete in up to five events at the Winter Olympics has type 1 diabetes.
Kris Freeman, who hopes to win the first U.S. cross-country medal in the Olympics since 1976, has the form of the diabetes in which the body does not produce insulin needed to regulate blood sugar.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000 at age 19, Freeman was told he would never be able to compete as an Olympian because of his illness. However, to compete in the 2010 Games, Freeman will wear a small insulin pump that provides an adjustable supply of insulin to help manage his diabetes while racing.
"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," Freeman said in a statement.
Freeman returns to elite competition after he contracted the flu during the 2006 Winter Games and underwent surgery in both legs last spring to alleviate pain caused by a rare muscle disorder compartment syndrome.
A 13-time U.S. National cross-country champion, Freeman recently had his best finish at the 2009 World Championships.
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