Not All Olympians Get the Red Carpet Treatment

[lady_mercury]

So, we're all familiar with our Olympian boys partying out like rock stars and almost living like them. They get to travel the world, compete, have interviews, magazine spreads, free food, get a stipend just to train for the Olympics and various other big time competitions from the USOC and US Speedskating, and if they win medals -- very nice

Comments

[skyllo01]

"THE WINTER OLYMPICS: LETTING WHITE PEOPLE WIN AT SPORTS NO ONE ELSE CAN AFFORD TO LEARN."

[guingel]

Ahahaha oh man ::awkward post-laugh sigh::

Definitely my least favorite thing about the winter olympics. I love the sports but I hate how inaccessible they are and how much more privilege (even than usual) generally goes into becoming a competitor.

OTOH you can be a curler and hold down a regular job! I think some of the sliding sports people do as well.

[lady_mercury]

lmao pretty much this. I'm already 600 in the hole with this speedskating stuff.

[triedthistwice]

I FEEL YOU GF. In the past two months, I've spent about $2k on fencing :(

[lady_mercury]

Omg, 2k? Jesus christ! Fencing costs that much?!

I'm just trying not to look at the money going out into this sport because if I did, I'd probably quit. I'm not even a month in and I've spent so much in traveling, equipment, this and that.... Also, its off season too so I fear how much its going to cost me when we start back in competitions again.

I don't know why all the cool awesome sports gotta be the most expensive sports :(

[triedthistwice]

Fencing is extremely expensive and even more-so because I fence two weapons. I have to have two sets of gear and a set usually consists of two to three weapons and two masks, a lame' for saber, extra handles, etc. It really adds up. And I just spent $150 on a tournament for each weapon.

And I do the same. If I counted every penny, I'd quit. I can't let this be about the money. Fencing is everything I've ever wanted to do with my life. From the day I started swinging sticks around in my front yard pretending to be a pirate, I just...knew. This is what I was meant to do. When you know, you know.

I have a feeling our work will pay off for us. From your comments, you seem very dedicated to the sport. And I want it to work out for you! I better see you in the Olympics one day so I can go "DAT ASSSSS".

P.S. I should add that nearly $500 of that $2k was from me fucking up my knee and needing to see a sport's medicine specialist. Tie your shoes, kids.

[lady_mercury]

Oh my god, I did not even consider that. Like, probably figured the weapons would be a bit pricey. But woooow o_o

I think the biggest deterrence from anything is money. Like, that's why I gave up on a lot of things: It cost too much money and I believed that I'd never have the money to continue it. But, lately, I stopped looking. I still worry about it, but whatever. Sacrifices have to be made.

LOL. omg, hahahahahah. I don't think I'll ever be Olympic good. I wish though, so I can just go DAT ASS when JR skates lmaooooooo

[triedthistwice]

Yeah, same. I worry about it, sure. But, I'm willing to give up things for my passion. You only live once!

I don't know why, but whenever I think of DAT ASS, I think of the Single Ladies song. idk idk

[lady_mercury]

Exactly!

LOL... jesus.... and now I just had mental images of the ST boys dancing to that music video while Simon fist pumps in the corner. ahahahahha /crack

[xica_s]

Girl, I feel you. I quit fencing in HS because basically the better I got, the more expensive it got and my parents were already dying paying my expensive ass prep school tuition (and they didn't get it at all. If I played basketball or soccer instead of fencing and field hockey I would have gotten a lot more support). I will gladly root for you like a mad person when you make it to the Olympics bb!

[triedthistwice]

It's so true! But, part of me believes that it's so expensive because fencing is coached by women and men who have given their lives to this and they don't like "shoppers", or kids who will take up a sport, take up a lot of their time with such an involved sport, and then quit in six months because they're not improving. Especially if you're fencing as a team, it's so hard to find replacements because fencing isn't all that popular.

I've definitely noticed that it's more expensive to fence post-HS than it was. But, I'm lucky in that I have a lot of support to keep me going.

[gryffindorgeek]

I've been meaning to ask you.. How much experience have you had on the ice before you decided to try out speed skating? I was just wondering because I keep thinking about the sport, and I think the 12 year-old in me still wants me to try it... but I'm definitely not the most stable person on the ice, judging by the few times I've skated in a rink with friends. I used to do inline skating for fun as a kid, but that was yearssss ago. lol I feel kinda stupid for asking. XD

[triedthistwice]

I know you weren't asking me, but my mom has been saying this to me for years and it really helps:

"You're only born knowing how to learn".

You should give it a shot!

[gryffindorgeek]

Those are really inspiring words to me, tbh. I was thinking today that maybe I could start small and pick up inline skating again. I know inline skating and speed skating are really different, but maybe inline will help me get my sea legs, so to speak. A lot of speed skaters started out with inline anyway, so it probably helps a bit. :) Thanks for the support!

[triedthistwice]

I try to be as supportive of athletics as possible because that alone can make or break you. I wouldn't have been able to do my tournaments without the support of my family and friends, so I try and dish it out as much as possible ♥

[lady_mercury]

Hahaha, tbh, the last time I was on ice was 12 years ago. So when I went to my first practice, that was the first time I was on the ice. I actually went to the baby rink to get my bearings. Its so much different than being on inlines.

Seriously, this is so different from regular ice skating that it doesn't matter if you stumble or not. Just skating crouched down with your hands behind your back is going to throw you off.

If it makes you feel better, I currently get out raced by a 7 year old. He's my ragespiration to beat. 8D