Victory for blind ambition

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This article was published 26/01/2010 (6030 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRIAN McKeever is on the cusp of history. More than a decade ago, the 30-year-old cross-country skier was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, which eventually robbed McKeever of his central vision. Undaunted, the Canmore, Alta., native went on to become a seven-time medallist at the Paralympic Games.

This week, McKeever made history when he was named to Cross-Country Canada’s 11-member Olympic team. Five athletes have previously competed in both Paralympics and Olympics, but all of them have been summer-sport athletes.

"It’s a message of hope for the Paralym­pics," McKeever told reporters, upon the announcement. "In the past, the Paralympics has been seen as a sideshow, not by the ath­letes, but the attention that it gets.

"It shows if you dream big dreams, you can get there, no matter what."

McKeever’s older brother, Robin, com­peted for Canada at the Nagano Olympics in 1998, then served as his brother’s guide at Paralympic competitions. But the younger McKeever, who only has peripheral vision, will be on his own in Vancouver.

McKeever sealed his spot on the Canadian team by winning a 50-kilometre NorAm race last month in Canmore, one of four Olympic trials.

"I knew I’d done my part and done my best," he said. "But we weren’t sure about the number of spots (Canada would have on its Olympic cross-country team). It’s exciting to have the opportunity to do both the Olympics and Paralympics. It’s a neat thing."

No, it’s an historic thing. And a victory for blind ambition.

Randy Turner
Reporter

Randy Turner spent much of his journalistic career on the road. A lot of roads. Dirt roads, snow-packed roads, U.S. interstates and foreign highways. In other words, he got a lot of kilometres on the odometer, if you know what we mean.

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