February 27, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – As he fought tears an emotional Brian McKeever talked

about his disappointment at not being named to the Canadian team for the last event of cross-country skiing, the 50 km classic race. “It’s always a tough thing,” he told journalists on Saturday as the women’s 30km classic would soon commence.

While he said it was one of the saddest days of his life, he added “you’ve got to go with the horses that are winning.” McKeever was referring to the major breakthrough the men’s team has made at these Games with numerous top ten finishes. “I can’t really speak to it, the decision has been made.”

While the men’s team has certainly set a new standard for Olympic skiing, they will be going up against a number of teams on Sunday that have “fresh legs” – skiers who have not yet raced yet at these Games, or competed at the beginning and then laid off in order to peak again for the grueling 50km event.

Conditions are slow as rain has made the snow like wet cement making finding the magic combination of grip and glide very difficult. McKeever has been training to peak for this day while the four racers selected – Ivan Babikov, George Grey, Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw have raced extraordinarily well. But will they be able to recover from their efforts so quickly?

McKeever says that’s a good question. “I’m not coming here to make up the numbers, but to do well. You prepare like you’re racing.”

Cross-country Canada says that the men’s team has always had five eligible skiers for this event and they chose who they believed were the fastest four as that is the maximum amount each country can field.

Coach Inge Braten said in the forty-four years he has coached it was the toughest decision he has ever made. As rain and tears ran together McKeever said he and his brother Robin will give the best effort possible to prepare for the Paralympics now.