Kris Freeman

Kris Freeman Quote: “I am thrilled to return to the Olympics and very grateful I am able to do so with my diabetes well controlled.”
In a sport where athletes typically peak in their late twenties, Kris Freeman, at the age of 25, was already a four-time national champion, the number one cross-country skier in the United States and the second most successful American cross-country skier of all time. He is also a medal contender in all three cross-country skiing distance events. In 2003, Kris finished sixth and fifth in two consecutive World Cups, the best finish by an American in 20 years and became the first American ever to finish in the top 20 overall at the end of the season. Kris results at the 2003 Nordic World Championships and the Under 23 Championship confirmed his status as a medal contender for the 2006 Olympics.

Kris was selected to compete in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver as a part of the U.S. Ski Team. He won his 13th national championship in the 2009 season by taking the 15-kilometer race at the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Championships. Kris also took fourth place at the Liberac Czech Republic 15k Classic World Championships.
In 2003, Kris finished fourth in the 15km classical race at the 2003 World Championships in Val Di Fimme, Italy. This was the second best finish by an American cross-country skier ever and the best American finish since 1982. He set a new record at the Kuusamo Finland Classic World Cup in November of 2009, finishing fourth with the best U.S. distance finish in a World Cup since 1983. Kris also won the opening leg of the relay at the World Championships, finishing ahead of a field of Olympic and world champion medallists. In addition, Kris won the 30 km classical at the inaugural Under 23 World Championships in Bormio, Italy and two national championship titles at the 2003 Chevy Truck U.S. Cross-Country Championships.

At the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Kris burst onto the world scene with two top-25 finishes; he placed 22nd in the 15 km classic and 15th in the 10 km pursuit. He also obtained the sixth fastest time overall in the 4 x 10 km team relay, helping the U.S. team obtain fifth place – the best Olympic finish for the U.S. cross-country ski team in history.