CROSS-COUNTRY:

McKeever not expected to race in 50 km classic
SRC’s take: Canadian coaches make the wrong call

Feb. 26, 2010 — SRC Staff Report

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The head coaches for Cross Country Canada have been facing a difficult decision. In the leadup to the Games, one of the big stories was Paralympic multiple gold medallist Brian McKeever, who qualified for the Olympic Games with a terrific victory in Canmore in December.

He was slated to race only the 50 km race here at Whistler Olympic Park, and stayed away in Canmore to train specifically for that event. Since then, the men have been racing very well, with four top-16 finishes in the 30 km pursuit and a fourth in the sprint relay.

Understandably, the four “core” men on the team all want to race the last race of the Olympics. However, to race all four of them would deny McKeever, and Canada, the chance to make Olympic history.

The report Friday night is that McKeever will not start the 50 km. The rationale for this decision is sound, and none of the athletes are to be at all faulted for wanting to start a race, not with the form they have shown thus far. However, despite the sound rationale, it is overwhelmingly the wrong decision.

Cross-country skiing is just establishing itself in Canada as a high-performance sport that deserves to garner everyday media attention. McKeever’s story, and the odds he has overcome, is truly unbelievable. Having McKeever race would be incredibly valuable for cross-country skiing in Canada; it would raise its profile tremendously. McKeever is a terrific person and a great role model. This will not be a one-time story; he would give back to cross-country skiing, as an ambassador, for many years following this one race.

Coaches from many countries make difficult decisions such as this one on a regular basis. A country such as Norway has multiple men who can compete for medals at any race start. In effect, a coach is deciding who has a shot at a medal, and in so doing is denying another athlete. Canada’s coaches are correct in stating that the four men have been racing well; however, a rested athlete trained specifically for this event could do just as well, if not better. McKeever’s 21st place at last year’s World Championships 50 km was the best Canadian result in that event.

A legitimate, defensible coaching choice, from a results perspective, would be to start McKeever. Add the political and legacy element — which must be a factor in the decision — and it is a no-brainer. Cross Country Canada, the national sport organization, will clearly win with one decision, and lose with the other.

Let’s hope they make the right choice, in the end.  SRC