February 12, 2003 – In a sport where athletes typically peak in their late twenties, Kris Freeman, at the age of 22, is ranked second in the nation and already has won three national championship titles. His performance at the 2002 Olympics placed him among the top under 23 racers in the world. Freeman is considered a potential medal contender for the 2006 Olympics.

In 2003 Freeman has already achieved outstanding results. At the 2003 Chevy Truck U.S. Cross Country Championships, Freeman took 1st place in the 10k and 30k classic. He also placed fourth in the two-man freestyle relay at the 2003 Nordic World Cup and won the prestigious 2002/2003 North American Continental Cup series. He will continue to advance his record throughout the 2003 ski season.

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

Other examples of Freeman's accomplishments include:
– Winning the overall 2002 U.S. Ski Team Spring Series;
– 2nd place in the 10 k freestyle at the Chevy Truck U.S. Cross-Country Championships, January 2003;
– 3rd place in the 10 k freestyle at the Chevy Truck U.S. Cross-Country Championships, January 2002;
– 2nd place in the 10 k freestyle at the U.S. Gold Cup, December 2001;
– 1st place in the 30 k classic at the 2000 U.S. Cross-Country Championships.

Freeman's record is even more impressive because he overcame a major hurdle to become a top cross-country skier. In September 2000 – in the midst of training for the Olympics – Freeman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a disease where the body does not produce insulin, a hormone required to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

When Freeman was diagnosed with diabetes, he thought his skiing days were over. However, through a balanced diet, frequent blood sugar monitoring and insulin therapy, Freeman gained control of his disease and remained competitive.

In January 2002 Freeman became a spokesperson for Eli Lilly and Company, the makers of the insulin he takes to control his diabetes. Throughout 2003, Freeman will travel the country, promoting the message that with proper care, people with diabetes can have full and active lifestyles.

Freeman was born and raised in Andover, New Hampshire. At the age of one, Freeman's father introduced him to cross-country skiing by pulling him in a sled as he skied. He has loved the sport ever since.

LillyforLife Awards In 1974, Eli Lilly and Company established an award program to recognize people with diabetes who have been on insulin for at least 50 years. Lilly's program was modeled after the renowned Joslin Diabetes Center's award program established in 1970. Since its inception, the Lilly award program has presented more than 1,500 medals to diabetes patients. In 2002, Lilly's award program was restructured and renamed the LillyforLife Awards to better reflect the everyday achievements and major accomplishments of people with diabetes. In addition to the 50-Year Insulin Award component, the program now includes an Achievement award, a category that recognizes outstanding achievements of people with diabetes.