Could You Be an Olympic Athlete? Author says Olympic dream can come true

Couch potatoes who dream of competing at the Summer Olympics could actually make their dream come true if they choose the right sport, says author of FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete. The oldest Olympic gold medal winner was 72.

(PRWEB) August 8, 2004 -- It will probably cross the mind of virtually every one of the millions of viewers watching the 2004 Summer Olympics: "What if it were ME going for the gold?"

Until now the idea of competing at the Olympics has seemed an impossible dream for all but an elite few. However, according to the FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete, published by FabJob.com, almost anyone has the potential to become an Olympic athlete.

"A lot of people are surprised to discover that no matter how old or out of shape they are right now, they could be chosen to compete in the next Summer Olympics," says Tag Goulet, FabJob CEO.

Would-be Olympians may be encouraged to learn that: they can choose from among dozens of sports, some sports require more "mental" skills than "physical" skills, the oldest Olympic medalist was 72 years old, and financial support is available for athletes to train in their sport.

The only publication available on how to become an Olympic Athlete, the FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete describes each of the summer sports, and gives advice on how to choose the best sport for you, how to train effectively, and how parents can support their children in becoming Olympic athletes. It also offers inspiring stories and advice from Olympic athletes.

The guide is available for $4.95 during the 2004 Summer Olympics. For information and to order the guide visit http://www.FabJob.com

COMPANY INFO: Established in 1999, FabJob.com is a leading publisher of career information, with guides on breaking into more than 60 fabulous jobs. The company has been named "the # 1 place to get published online" by Writer's Digest magazine.

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10 Steps to Becoming an Olympic Athlete
by John C. Bickar

You may not have made it to the 2004 Summer Olympics, but it may surprise you to know that if you start preparing soon, you could be among the athletes competing in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Don't assume youre too old or out of shape to make your dream come true. The oldest Olympic medallist was 72!

Here are 10 steps you can take towards living your dream of becoming an Olympic Athlete, based on the FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete, published by FabJob.com.

1. Assess your physical condition

The first step is to determine what shape you are currently in. This will help you to select the best sport for you, as well as the training program you will need to follow.

If you are 35 years old and your favorite activity is sitting on the couch with a six pack and a bag of chips, you probably aren't cut out to become an Olympic gymnast. However, if you are willing to make a few lifestyle changes, there are a number of sports you could successfully compete in. You can get an assessment of your current level of fitness by visiting a local gym and consulting with one of the trainers.

2. Choose a sport

Many athletes select a sport based on what they enjoy doing and what they are good at. If you already have an athletic hobby, such as target shooting or judo, you are already one step ahead. If you are starting from scratch, you can find a list of Olympic sports by visiting the United States Olympic Committee website at http://www.usolympicteam.com.

If you are an older athlete, you are more likely to achieve success in a sport that focuses on mental skills rather than purely physical strength. Some examples of mental sports include: archery, canoe/kayak, equestrian, fencing, sailing, shooting, and table tennis.

3. Find a place to train

Once you decide which sport to pursue, you need to start developing your skills. Join a local athletic club or visit a recreation center so you can practice and take classes. Another good place to train, depending on your sport, is your local high school or university.

4. Join your National Governing Body

A crucial step that will get you to the next level is to join your National Governing Body (NGB). The NGB conducts National Championships, maintains a National Team, and often supports various developmental programs for athletes. You can find the website for your NGB through the U.S. Olympic website.

5. Start competing

If you havent already started competing at the club stage, now is the time to do it. Your NGB hosts a variety of tournaments that start on the local level. It is important in many sports to build a national rating by competing at certain competitions. Your NGB will be able to tell you when and where you should be competing.

6. Get a coach

This step should be taken at the same time as you start competing. A coach can help you develop your skills, so you can progress to the next level of your sport. A good place to start looking for a coach is your local training facility. The people who teach classes at the facility can recommend someone to coach you, or they may be able to coach you themselves.

7. Visualize your success

A training technique used by top athletes is visualization. According to one theory, if you see a perfect golf swing 1,000 times in your mind, its better practice than actually swinging the golf club 10,000 times.

If you're a diver, you can play out the entire sequence of a perfect dive in your mind. Imagine yourself climbing up the ladder, taking each step toward the end of the platform, launching yourself in the air, performing each flip and twist perfectly, and entering the water without a splash. Then see yourself coming out of the water to a roaring crowd, toweling off, flashbulbs popping. The more detail you can add to your visualizations -- including imagining any sounds, smells, and physical sensations -- the better your visualizations will prepare you to achieve the result you want.

8. Find financing

At some point you may be ready to start training full-time, which means you will have to find a way to support yourself financially. Elite level athletes have several options including: attend college on an athletic scholarship, become a resident athlete at an Olympic Training Center, or obtain corporate sponsorships. Your NGB can give you information about becoming a resident athlete.

You may be able to obtain corporate sponsorships through your employer, by contacting the marketing department of other companies, or by having a sports marketing agency contact companies for you.

9. Attend the national championships

Most NGBs run their National Championships in a similar format to the Olympic Games so it will be good practice for you. Often, the National Team coach is present at the National Championships, and will be able to tell you what you need to do to make the Olympic Team in your sport.

Many individual sports open their National Championships to any competitor who has achieved some minimum qualification at the local or regional level so you may have a better chance of competing than you think.

10. Qualify for the Olympics

Each sport has a different process for qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team. Athletes in team sports (such as basketball or soccer) tend to be chosen by the national coaching squad via their national reputation, national ranking or through results at previous competitions. Some team sports also have an Olympic tryout.

Athletes in individual sports (such as track and field or tennis) compete for a spot on the Olympic Team through qualifying tournaments or their national rankings.

Once you make it to the Olympics, you have achieved the dream of a lifetime -- enjoy the experience and go for the gold!

Based on the FabJob Guide to Becoming an Olympic Athlete. The complete guide provides information about how to become an Olympic Athlete in every summer sport. It is available online through www.FabJob.com for the special price of $4.95 before and during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

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