Russian-born skier Ivan Babikov says he is proud to represent Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
On Monday Babikov, born in 1980 in the republic of Komi in northwest Russia, debuted as an Olympic athlete for Canada and finished 8th in the men's 15 km free style Cross Country.
"I am proud to be a Canadian, I am proud that I am defending the [Canadian] flag colors and this is something special to me," the skier said after the race.
Four years ago at the Winter Olympics in Italy's Turin, Babikov performed for the Russian national team but finished only in 13th place in Cross Country pursuit.
After the 2007 world championship in Japan's Sapporo, the Russian skier changed his citizenship and in 2009 made his debut for Canada, where he now lives with his family.
WHISTLER, February 16 (RIA Novosti)
