I’ve never had much interest in winter sports. I live in a warm climate where it never snows and although I’ve always wanted to go skiing, I’ve never gotten around to it. And I don’t usually follow the Winter Olympics either. This year, however, things are different since I have a representative on the US Olympic team – his name is Kris Freeman and he’s a type 1 diabetic. The truth is that he could be on any team and I would be cheering for him. Being a diabetic is a bit like being part of an ethnic minority. If you’re...

Kris Freeman is the reigning US National cross-country ski champion, currently competing as a part of the US Ski Team in the 2010 Olympic Games .  Kris was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000, before his first Winter Olympics in 2002. He also competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics. What sets Kris apart from others with type 1 diabetes is that he competes in endurance sports: the 15 kilometer freestyle cross-country (XC) race lasts about 45 minutes. Kris will also compete in the 30k pursuit race, the 50k mass start classic, and the...

According to a press release published by PR Newswire, Kris Freeman was picked for the US Olympic Ski Team, and is expected to compete in up to five events at the 2010 Olympic Games taking place this February in Vancouver Canada. Freeman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000 at age 19 and was told he would he would never be able to compete because of his diabetes. Freeman is insulin dependent and will be using an insulin pump in the upcoming Olympic Games. Off the snow Freeman focuses on diabetes education. He travels for his...