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 - Don Weixl, Cross Country Canada
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Date of Birth: 10/04/76 |
Place of Birth: Golden, B.C. |
Residence: Canmore, AB |
Height: 5'6" |
Weight: 130 lbs |
Years on National Team: 5 |
Sara Renner helped Canada to a silver medal in the women's relay at the
World Cup on the Olympic course at Soldier Hollow last March and a sixth
place finish at the world championships. Just a few weeks later Renner had
her thyroid removed due to Graves disease.
Graves disease is the most common disease associated with overactivity of
the thyroid gland. It is located in front of the neck just below the
larynx. It is an important organ of the endocrine system and regulates the
calcium balance.
Renner was initially diagnosed with the illness in fall of 1998 a few months
after competing at the 1998 Olympics. She fought it once but then it
returned again earlier this year.
"The first time it was really scary, it was the fear of the unknown," she
said. "Last spring I knew what it was and I knew I was going to be okay. I
knew aIl was going to be able to compete again at a high level."
Renner is expected to race the 10-kilometre classic, the sprint, relay and
pursuit at the Games.
What Canada Did
Feb. 21 - Women's 20-km relay: Jaime Fortier and Milaine Theriault, both Canmore, Alta.; Sara Renner, Golden, B.C., and Beckie Scott, Vermilion, Alta., finished eighth in a field of 13.
Feb. 19 - Women's sprint: Sara Renner, Golden, B.C., placed fifth in semifinal heat, eliminated; after advancing from quarter-finals and finishing 14th in qualifying
Feb. 15 - Women's pursuit: Sare Renner, Canmore, Alta., was 19th in final field of 50 (26th in classical, 23rd in freestyle
Feb. 12 - Women's 10-km classical: Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta., placed 15th of 61 finalists
Sara Renner Photos
Renner skis the first leg of the relay
Sara Renner skies the course
2002 Games Cross Country Skiing Coverage
