The 36-year-old has his chance Friday in the 15-kilometer cross- country race but he admitted that his original dream had been to represent Brazil at the summer Olympics.

"I was a triathlete and a marathon runner," Freitas said.

"I have only been doing cross- country since 2002, that was my first time ever on skis. I started this sport because I wanted to go to an Olympics.

"I had some good results in triathlon but not good enough to make the summer Olympics."

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His medal chances in Turin are non- existent. At the world championships in Oberstdorf in Germany, his best finish was 89th in the sprint with a 120th placing in the 15km free and two non- finished in the 50km and 2x15km double pursuit. He knows he is outclassed but insists he deserves his place.

"I hope people understand that even if I am not too fast, I am a true Olympian. I am committed to the sport and I want to show this to the people.

"The problem is the technical challenge. I am improving but I need more time on the snow. My technique is not natural for me as I didn't start skiing as a child. I am not like these guys who ski as if they are walking."

Freitas is not the only Brazilian at the Winter Olympics. The team boasts another cross-country skier in Jaqueline Mourao who takes part in the women's 10km classical. There are also two Alpine skiiers and a snowboarder.

A bobsleigh team, unlikely though it sounds, makes up the Brazilian squad.

Taking part in its second Olympics, the four-man bob includes driver Ricardo Raschini, who represented Brazil in luge in 2002, Edson Bindilatti, a six- time national decathlon champion, and Marcio Silva, a former discus and hammer thrower. Former sprinter Claudinei Quirino is also in the squad.

Eric Maleson, the head of the Brazilian bobsleigh federation, said he was inspired to form the team after watching the film Cool Runnings, based on the story of the Jamaican bobsledders at the 1988 Calgary Games.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE