PWD in the Winter Olympics!

Community Fun and Games
#1

I had this idea on the way to work this morning, while listening to a radio piece about cross-country skier Kris Freeman. Let's create a list of athletes with diabetes who are competing in the Winter Olympics this year, and keep track of their progress!

So, there's Kris Freeman.... Anyone know of others who are competing in Sochi?

I've been doing some research on past Olympians with diabetes, and here are the folks I've found:

Gary Hall, Jr. Gold medalist in swimming in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Type 1 diabetes.

Kevin Hansen Men's Volleyball Team, 2008. Type 1 Diabetes.

Sir Steven Redgrave, Olympic rower and 5-time gold medalist, 1984-2000

Pam Fernandes, Gold medalist in cycling, 2000 Paralympics. Type 1 diabetes

Missy Foy, Olympic Ultra Marathoner. Type 1 diabetes

#2

About athletes competing in Sochi, I haven't heard of any others, but Matthias Steiner from Germany is also diabetic and won a gold medal at the olympics in Beijing 2008 in weightlifting…


http://www.matthiassteiner.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Steiner

#3

*love* this idea!

#4

Although it takes an exceptional amount of effort for anybody to make it to the Olympics, these Olympians with diabetes excel their fellow Olympians. These people - especially the gold medalists - shine above the rest! They’ve earned respect both by their achievements and by the effort they put into it.

#5

I agree 100%, James! A person with diabetes has to work harder just to get through a normal day than someone with no health concerns, so the work that goes into becoming an Olympic athlete must be exponentially greater.

#6

There's a piece in Insulin Nation about Kris Freeman and potential reasons why there are so few winter Olympians with type 1 diabetes.

http://insulinnation.com/living/celebrating-the-rare-t1-winter-olympian/

#7

Cathy Freeman of Australia, Gold Medallist Sydney Olympics. Developed gestational diabetes later and then T2.