Four more added to Olympic cross-country team

Canada will send four more cross-country skiers to the Vancouver Olympics next month after being given additional spots by the International Ski Federation (FIS) on Wednesday.

Drew Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta., Calgary's Brent McMurtry, Gordon Jewett of Canmore, Alta., and Brittany Webster of Caledon, Ont., have been added to the team.

Canada will now send 15 cross-country skiers (nine men, six women) to Whistler Olympic Park for the Games.

"Adding this group definitely increases the firepower of our team at the Games," Cross Country Canada high-performance director Tom Holland said in a release.

"These athletes all fought hard to meet the Canadian selection criteria and earned their opportunity to compete in Vancouver-Whistler.

"Not only will this add depth, but it will also build on the experience our athletes need for the future. We are thrilled they will get this chance of a lifetime to compete in the Olympics at home."

The extra positions became available when other national committees returned some of their quota places to FIS, which then re-allocated the positions.

The Canadian cross-country ski team will compete at the Alberta World Cup in Canmore, Alta., on Feb. 5-6 before heading to the Games.