Vancouver, British Columbia - 12 March 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Brian McKeever and guide Graham Nishikawa on winning the gold medal in the men’s cross-country skiing 1 km sprint (visually impaired) at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games:
“What an incredible gold medal-winning performance today by Brian McKeever and guide Graham Nishikawa in the men’s cross-country skiing 1 km sprint (visually impaired). The feat was even more remarkable as Mr. McKeever had to overcome an early fall to come back and win the race. This gold medal is a fitting reward for years of hard work and perseverance.”
Brian McKeever was born in Calgary, Alberta, and currently resides in Canmore, Alberta. This is his 12th Paralympic medal in his fourth Paralympic Games and his second gold medal at these 2014 Games. Mr. McKeever previously won two gold medals and one silver medal in Salt Lake City in 2002, two gold, one silver and one bronze in Turin in 2006, and was a triple gold medallist in Vancouver 2010. Mr. McKeever made history in 2010 when he was named to both the Olympic and Paralympic teams. He has competed in every world championship since 2005 and won nine titles, in addition to 21 World Cup wins.
Graham Nishikawa was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, and currently resides in Canmore, Alberta. This is his first Paralympic medal in his first Paralympic Games. He is a guide for para-nordic skier Brian McKeever. Along with guide Erik Carleton, Mr. Nishikawa helped guide Mr. McKeever to a gold medal win in the men’s cross-country skiing 20 km classic (visually impaired) earlier during these 2014 Games. Mr. Nishikawa is a 2013 Cross Country Canada world championship team member. He finished a career high 15th in the 30 km cross-country ski at a 2012 FIS World Cup event in Canmore, Alberta.
