Robin McKeever
Profile
Robin McKeever of Canmore, Alberta, is a Paralympian, Olympian and eleven-time able-bodied Canadian national champion in cross-country skiing. Robin’s competitive career began in 1987, and he went on to compete in 15 Canadian National Championships and represent Canada in the Nagano 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
Robin turned his attention to Para-Nordic skiing in 2001, when he took on the role as the sighted guide for his brother, Brian McKeever. Robin officially started guiding Brian at the Salt Lake IPC World Cup final in March 2001. The day before the race, the brothers — skiing together for the thousandth time, but the first time racing as an official “team” — set out to ski the course together on an amazing, sunny spring day well above freezing. The Paralympic course (also the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games course), which consisted of a ribbon of artificial snow through the Utah dessert, included a very slushy descent. At the bottom Robin discovered that Brian was suddenly no longer behind him. After waiting awhile, thinking he was just dawdling, Robin went back to find Brian's left ski and foot visible above the edge of the track. Brian had been trying to pass Robin, who he claims was going too slow, and had caught an edge throwing him headfirst down a steep embankment into the mud. After being rescused by Robin, Brian made a full recovery, and the brothers went on to claim thier first victory as a team.
Together the McKeever brothers won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. At the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, the duo won two gold medals and one silver medal in cross-country skiing, plus a bronze medal in the 7.5-kilometre biathlon competition.
After four years of training and competing full-time, Robin spent the 2006/2007 season focused on family. As a result, Brian surpassed him in physical fitness and Robin found himself unable to ski as fast as Brian and was no longer an able to guide them to victory. So, in 2007 Robin decided to return to the sport full-time, this time not only as a competitor, but also as a coach. In addition to guiding Brian, Robin now successfully mixes his own training with coaching the Canadian Para-Nordic national cross-country ski team. Earning a living in a job that doubles as training has enabled Robin to maintain a work-life balance.
The McKeever team is now back racing faster than ever as a team, and is on target to acheive their goal of winning multiple Paralympic medals at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Robin is also poised for success as a coach; his considerable experience and passion for the sport are laying the foundation for many of Canada’s Para-Nordic athletes to reach the podium in 2010.
Robin turned his attention to Para-Nordic skiing in 2001, when he took on the role as the sighted guide for his brother, Brian McKeever. Robin officially started guiding Brian at the Salt Lake IPC World Cup final in March 2001. The day before the race, the brothers — skiing together for the thousandth time, but the first time racing as an official “team” — set out to ski the course together on an amazing, sunny spring day well above freezing. The Paralympic course (also the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games course), which consisted of a ribbon of artificial snow through the Utah dessert, included a very slushy descent. At the bottom Robin discovered that Brian was suddenly no longer behind him. After waiting awhile, thinking he was just dawdling, Robin went back to find Brian's left ski and foot visible above the edge of the track. Brian had been trying to pass Robin, who he claims was going too slow, and had caught an edge throwing him headfirst down a steep embankment into the mud. After being rescused by Robin, Brian made a full recovery, and the brothers went on to claim thier first victory as a team.
Together the McKeever brothers won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. At the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, the duo won two gold medals and one silver medal in cross-country skiing, plus a bronze medal in the 7.5-kilometre biathlon competition.
After four years of training and competing full-time, Robin spent the 2006/2007 season focused on family. As a result, Brian surpassed him in physical fitness and Robin found himself unable to ski as fast as Brian and was no longer an able to guide them to victory. So, in 2007 Robin decided to return to the sport full-time, this time not only as a competitor, but also as a coach. In addition to guiding Brian, Robin now successfully mixes his own training with coaching the Canadian Para-Nordic national cross-country ski team. Earning a living in a job that doubles as training has enabled Robin to maintain a work-life balance.
The McKeever team is now back racing faster than ever as a team, and is on target to acheive their goal of winning multiple Paralympic medals at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Robin is also poised for success as a coach; his considerable experience and passion for the sport are laying the foundation for many of Canada’s Para-Nordic athletes to reach the podium in 2010.
Info
| BORN | April 08 1973 |
| BIRTHPLACE | Calgary |
| HEIGHT | 176 cm |
| WEIGHT | 73 kg |
