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Robert Fagan's desire to compete in snowboard cross at the Olympics was strongest in 2006 when a knee injury robbed him of the opportunity to qualify for the Turin Games.

Now, needing only one more top-5 finish to meet the 2010 Olympic team criteria and many months of training behind him, Fagan's desire to compete at the Vancouver Games has grown torrid.

"I want to see what I can make possible if I put everything in to it," Fagan said.

"Missing [the Turin] Olympics reassured me that it's something important to me. For myself, I want to see what I can do."

Fagan, 33, has been better known on the World Cup circuit for consistent top-20 finishes than for explicit zeal.

The Cranbrook, B.C., native has been on the World Cup circuit since 2001 when he placed eighth at his first World Cup race in Tignes, France. Fagan earned a 17th-place finish in his second race in Whistler, B.C.

If there was any surprise surrounding his burgeoning talent, much of it was held by Fagan himself.

"I didn't really grow up as an athletic person. My family is very athletic, but when it comes down to it, I grew up doing a lot of sports, but I wasn't amazing at them."

He only began racing when friends who were already involved in snowboard cross began harassing him to go up against some of the top finishers in the world.

"In a couple of events, I actually beat those guys and [my friends] got really excited for me," he said.

With the 2006 Turin Games within sight, Fagan was producing good results when he blew out his knee.

"We were still going through the selections, so as I was rehabbing my knee [some] guys weren't really putting up the results. But, I had no say."

That disappointment sowed Fagan's resolve to compete in Vancouver. His effort is paying off. Last season he was ninth overall and finished 19th at the world championships.

"I made the choice to put every effort I possibly have into this event," he said.

"In early days of snowboard cross I was relaxed and I did well because of natural talent. Now I am working either with trainers, my mental guru guy or whomever. I want to make sure my natural talent is not just what I am relying on."

Fagan's shot at an Olympic medal has come with unexpected perks such as modelling Olympic wares for the Hudson's Bay Company. He is excited to be involved - particularly when it garners surprise from his family members.

"My mom just went to Zellers and she started crying. Then, of course, she called my sisters and my aunts and uncles and now everyone's got to go to The Bay or Zellers," he said.

While Fagan admits he has never been one to wear scarves - even the tangential aspects of the Games are thrilling.

"It could be the best sporting event ever. I'm hoping it will be. For myself, I want to see what I can do," he said.

"So many Olympians say, ‘It's something like nothing else.' I want to feel that and be ready for that."

Katie Rook is a producer for ctvolympics.ca