Ottawa, Ontario 16 March 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Brian McKeever and guide Erik Carleton on winning a gold medal in men’s cross-country skiing 10 km (visually impaired), and Chris Klebl on his gold medal win in men’s cross-country skiing 10 km (sitting) at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games:
“Today, Brian McKeever, along with his guides Erik Carleton and Graham Nishikawa, truly demonstrated the focus, skill and spirit needed to reach the podium. I am delighted to join proud Canadians from across the country in again congratulating one of our greatest Paralympic champions to date.
“I would also like to extend my warmest congratulations to Chris Klebl for winning the gold medal in the men’s cross-country skiing 10 km (sitting) event. This is another incredibly proud moment for our country.”
Brian McKeever was born in Calgary, Alberta, and currently resides in Canmore, Alberta. This is his 13th Paralympic medal in his fourth Paralympic Games and his third 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.
Erik Carleton was born in Calgary, Alberta, and currently resides in Canmore, Alberta. This is his second Paralympic medal in his first Paralympic Games, having won a gold medal as the guide for Brian McKeever in men’s cross-country skiing 20 km classic (visually impaired) earlier in these Games. Mr. Carleton joined Canada’s Para-Nordic squad in 2011. That year, he helped Mr. McKeever win three gold medals at the IPC Para-Nordic World Championships. Two years later, they successfully defended their world titles in the 20 km freestyle and sprint classic.
Cross-country sit-skier Chris Klebl was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, and currently resides in Canmore, Alberta. This is his first Paralympic medal in his third Paralympic Games, having competed for the United States in Turin in 2006 and in Vancouver in 2010. For Canada, Mr. Klebl won six World Cup medals in 2011-2012 and two World Cup gold medals in 2013-2014.
