A Diabetic With Olympic Courage

Filed in archive Notable on February 17, 2006

Kris Freeman is the best cross-country skiier in the United States, and perhaps the best in the entire world, as he hopes to prove in this winter's Olympics.

A champion of one of the most rigorous sports in existence, he works hard every day to build both his body and his confidence.

And one more thing: he is diabetic.

He controls his diabetes each day with insulin, which has proven to be the biggest hurdle in competing in the Olympics: insulin is on the list of banned substances.

In fighting to be granted approval to compete while taking insulin, Freeman has achieved a victory both for himself and other diabetics.

This inspiring story can be accessed at the New York Times.Freeman, 25, said that he welcomed the fight against doping, but that he did not agree with the placement of insulin on the list of the International Olympic Committee's prohibited substances.

"Any performance enhancement you could get from this is more than negated by the diabetes itself," Freeman said. "I have all the respect for the anti-doping agencies, and they've given me the exemption, but I don't see why insulin is even on the banned list."

What do you think? Does insulin belong on the list, or is that a move that will increase negative perceptions of diabetes?

(Kris Freeman photo source: USA Today)