The Canadian was left off his country's cross-country ski team on the eve of the 50 kilometres event in Whistler last Sunday because it was judged by the coaches that Ivan Babikov, Alex Harvey, George Grey and Devon Kershaw were in better form.

McKeever, who has Stargardt’s disease, has admitted that the decision has left him "crushed" but is disappointed that some of the Canadian public have acted so angrily.

He told the Calgary Herald: "It was quite the blow and I’m still not over it.

"It’s probably going to take some time.

"It’s upsetting for all of us that my teammates [are getting hate mail].

"It was the administration that made the call and it was them that handled it or mishandled it, It’s too bad that my teammates have to bear the brunt of this decision.”

On his Twitter account, Babikov posted a message this week saying: "I keep getting ‘I hate you’ e-mails regarding ‘Brian McKeever unfortunate event.’ Makes . . . me . . . sad, and mad."

Robin McKeever, Brian's bother and who is set to be his guide in the Paralympics in Vancouver later this month, said: "I actually replied to that tweet and said, 'Sorry to hear that - it’s not the athlete’s fault'.

Brian tried to make it clear to media in Vancouver that [he wasn’t guaranteed to race], but Cross-Country Canada never really came out to support that.

"Internally, we knew what was possible but externally it was portrayed that he would compete."

Grey said he also received hate mail, in one case a message posted on his website.

"It said, ‘32nd or 33rd.

"Are you sure there weren’t more of you that were blind out there?

"I’m glad you guys didn’t get any medals because you didn’t deserve it'.

"I read that coming home and it makes you [feel like] you want to cry.

"There’s a lot of support for how our team did, but some people are quite confused with the situation and I think that’s because the directors of the team weren’t clear about Brian’s situation.

"It was said he was going to race and that’s not true.

"It was unfortunate.

"It left a bitter taste in our mouths.”

Kershaw (pictured), who finished fifth in the 50k, missing a medal by less than two seconds, said he does not blame the public for misunderstanding the selection process.

He told the Calgary Herald: "People are just upset.

"It was something that was clearly avoidable.

"[Officials could have said] we are bringing him because history shows there’s usually an opportunity for people to start.

"They didn’t.

"As a result there were Morgan Freeman commercials and everything.

"It’s hurtful to give Ivan a hard time or George a hard time or me a hard time.

"We don’t make the decision."

McKeever claims he does not believe that Cross-Country Canada did anything maliciously.

He said: "Maybe they just didn’t realise what was going to happen.

"It was a decision that was delayed until the last day.

"They could have put it out there that it wasn’t guaranteed [I would race] or just made a decision about who would race earlier.

"It ended up being a story that they weren’t ready to handle."


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February 2010: Canadian devastated at Olympic snub
February 2010: McKeever denied opportunity to make history
February 2010: McKeever inspired by grandparents ordeal
January 2010: Canadian skier to become first to compete in Winter Olympics and Paralympics
December 2009: Paralympic champion step closer to qualifying for Olympics