Canmore Paralympian flag-bearer could become most decorated competitor

A visually-impaired cross-country skier carried the Canadian flag in the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games early Friday morning and he's on track to become the most decorated medal winner in his sport.

"It was a lot of fun. It was a little bit nerve-racking. Something new that I haven't done," Brian McKeever told The Homestretch on Friday of his flag-bearing experience.

"It was a really beautiful experience. It was wonderful to lead the team in."

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McKeever has won 10 gold medals in the sport and if he wins this year, it will be record-breaking, but he says medals aren't the only goal.

"I like the self-experimentation of the training process and trying to get a little bit better every year."

Another Olympic cross-country skiing competitor, Russell Kennedy, is McKeever's guide.

"My role here is to supplement as a guide and to help wherever is needed," Kennedy said.

One of the grey beards

McKeever saysat the age of 38he's surrounded by younger talent at the Games.

"I am definitely one of the grey beards," he said with a laugh.

"There are not too many walking around the Olympic village, but there are a few. But it is great to have younger guys that are absolutely ripping skiers that can push the pace in training and competition. That helps me to get better, to stay fresh but also it helps the other guys on our team."

His vision, however, is getting worse over time.

"It's probably worse but because the degeneration is so slow I don't notice it say day-to-day, week-to-week, year-to-year," McKeever explained.

"It's mildly frustrating at times, but there is still enough functional vision there that daily life is decent and I can get through out."

He adds that the whole team has potential in Pyeongchang.

"We have trained really well, over the last four years, especially this last year. The whole team is looking good. We can never predict success in any way but we just go out and hope we have done our best in preparation, take confidence in that," he said.

"We have chances to do well."

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With files from The Homestretch