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How to participate in the Winter Olympics with no experience

[header]How to participate in the Winter Olympics with no experience[/header]

[b]What?[/b] This is possible? Yes, you can enjoy the feeling of actually being in the Olympics [b]without[/b] any professional experience in a Winter Olympic sport. [b]But how?[/b]

It's simple. I will explain it to you in steps instead of writing a wall of text, so I won't motivate you any less for reading this.

[header]Learn the basics[/header]
Anyone can learn how to ski. With a year of training, you can get far. Do you remember in 2008 when an East-Timorese athlete participated in the Olympics and ended last? That person [b]had as much experience as your local donut-eating policeman[/b].

[header]Earn citizenship[/header]
This is the hard part because it involves some moving and working, especially when you're living in an island nation and you're very likely to earn as much as many African nations. The key to Olympic success is [b]patience[/b]. With dreams comes sacrifice, I'm sure your familiar with that. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. It will be tough in the process, but always realise that when you're done, it will be worth it.

[header]Contact Olympic federation[/header]
This is the easy part because considering the fact that the country you're representing lacks Winter Olympic experience, the chance of actually being allowed to participate is big. You don't even have to meet the Olympic requirements for that particular sports as you will likely be given a wild card. There's a Universal Policy going on in the Olympics that states when a country has no athletes that meet the requirements, they're permitted to participate nonetheless.

[header]Success[/header]
You've made it this far. Just some training by your new, yet strict Olympic coach and you're set for the Olympics, although it may be unlikely for you to win, do realise that even if you do fail, you still made your nation proud by trying. Good luck!

July 27, 2012

13 Comments • Newest first

CarrotSteam

[quote=dizzo2]I didn't really watch the video when I made that comment, which I should've done. But I disagree when you said that he was made fun of / laughed at. It's just a bit of jolly fun, considering the fact that he's the only swimmer and can take all the time he wants if he wishes to do so. Everyone likes a bit of fun.[/quote]

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rqI8xwXVac]Again, some people have different opinions.[/url] It's hard to say exactly what Adrian (one of the best breaststrokers of his time) was thinking then, but he did mention that he wasn't sure if performances of that level should be allowed in the Olympics. More food for thought: Eric's 1:53 in the 100m would've been beaten by then champion Pieter Van den Hoogenband's 1:45 in the 200m.

Yes, I am a swimmer.

Reply July 27, 2012
UAPaladin

[quote=Rozhin]Skiing? Easy? LOL, you have no idea what it takes to actually ski well.[/quote]

I've been snowboarding for 11 years and skiing for about 4. I'm still better at skiing though, but I'm very good at both. All that skiing requires is coordination, quick thinking (only if you're doing races or skiing through trees or an ungroomed area), and some hard work. The TS is right, within one year I went from skiing on bunny hills to skiing in the Swiss Alps. If you're dedicated, skiing is actually quite easy.

Reply July 27, 2012
dizzo2

[quote=CarrotSteam]I'm no open water swimmer but lake swimming on your own really isn't hard....

I agree, although it's kind of a controversial point to talk about. I didn't post that link to make fun of anyone, rather as food for thought.[/quote]I didn't really watch the video when I made that comment, which I should've done. But I disagree when you said that he was made fun of / laughed at. It's just a bit of jolly fun, considering the fact that he's the only swimmer and can take all the time he wants if he wishes to do so. Everyone likes a bit of fun.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
CarrotSteam

[quote=dizzo2]Go swim in a lake and think about what you just said.[/quote]

I'm no open water swimmer but lake swimming on your own really isn't hard....

[quote=dizzo2]That's just a rare case of d.ickery and not what the Olympics is all about and what it's supposed to be. Trying is a good thing and the athlete should be laughing at them for being unable to make it this far. It doesn't always go this way.[/quote]

I agree, although different people obviously have different views. I didn't post that link to make fun of anyone, rather as food for thought.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
dizzo2

[quote=CarrotSteam]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woYG6Uq6OVU[/quote]That's just a rare case of d.ickery and not what the Olympics is all about and what it's supposed to be. Trying is a good thing and the athlete should be laughing at them for being unable to make it this far. It doesn't always go this way.

EDIT: I didn't watch the video when I typed this. This is just for fun. The only Swimmer wasn't made fun of, at all.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
CarrotSteam

[quote=dizzo2]What you may call ''making a fool of yoursef'' can also be called trying. People won't laugh at someone who tries his/her best at a sport because being able to participate is already a big honour. You don't have to finish something, knowing that you at least tried is something to be proud of.

Those who didn't succeed get cheered at nonetheless.
[/quote]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woYG6Uq6OVU

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
dizzo2

[quote=CarrotSteam]First off, swimming won't be in the Olympics for another 4 years. That gives you a short period of time to train your butt off before Rio, but bear in mind that professional swimmers have upwards of 12 practices weekly as well as daily weight room sessions. Water Polo experience won't help much. All I have to say is....good luck.[/quote]Go swim in a lake and think about what you just said.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
CarrotSteam

[quote=Herosgate]I want to join the Swimming Olympics. I've been on my High School swim team for a year. Water Polo team for 2 years.

Any tips?

Next year that is.[/quote]

First off, swimming won't be in the Olympics for another 4 years. That gives you a short period of time to train your butt off before Rio, but bear in mind that professional swimmers have upwards of 12 practices weekly as well as daily weight room sessions. Water Polo experience won't help much. All I have to say is....good luck.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
dizzo2

[quote=spring786]Good luck making a fool out of yourself on Television.[/quote]What you may call ''making a fool of yoursef'' can also be called trying. People won't laugh at someone who tries his/her best at a sport because being able to participate is already a big honour. You don't have to finish something, knowing that you at least tried is something to be proud of.

Those who didn't succeed get cheered at nonetheless.

@Rozhin:

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
dizzo2

[quote=Rozhin]Skiing? Easy? LOL, you have no idea what it takes to actually ski well.[/quote]You don't have to ski well in order to join the Olympics. An Olympic Track and Field runner was 30 minutes behind the second-to-last athlete and didn't even finish.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
dizzo2

[quote=UglierBetty]Sure, everyone can ski. Too bad you can't spell it.[/quote]If you bothered reading the rest of it, you could've noticed that I spelled it right the other times. It's a typo.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
Herosgate

I want to join the Swimming Olympics. I've been on my High School swim team for a year. Water Polo team for 2 years.

Any tips?

Next year that is.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited
UglierBetty

Sure, everyone can ski. Too bad you can't spell it.

Reply July 27, 2012 - edited