Actual Chances

[Joan of Ark]

Okay..... here is the question. What do you think the actuall chances of making the Olympics are in 2008... if..... you practice 3 X a week, have a lesson 1x a week, and have been fencing for 2 years already? Sorta hard to answer, I know. But could you please give me an oppinion....

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Pretty good if your short and cute I would say that you could qualify for the 2012 more likely at that rate. But I would fence more than 3 days a week, and get more lessons to fence in the 2008.

I have been fencing for nearly two years, and I fence at the rate mentioned above, and I'm nowhere near that goal. I'm shooting for winning the summer nationals before the olympics.

[prototoast]

Probably about 1/200!

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Probably about 1/200!

Theres still a chance!

[Joan of Ark]

Theres still a chance!

lol
yeah there is!
so how much more would I need to practice... remember that I am in 8th grade and that it takes an hour to get to fencing and we are in a budget crunch...

[Artisan]

lol
... it takes an hour to get to fencing and we are in a budget crunch...

...better go read Mo's "money makes the fencer thread"

[The0ne]

fundraise fundraise fundraise!!! I would say 1/how many fencers are competing in the senior circuit from the USA at the time x10 because you need a little bit of luck!

[Flagrant da Nut]

lol
yeah there is!
so how much more would I need to practice... remember that I am in 8th grade and that it takes an hour to get to fencing and we are in a budget crunch...

wrong attitude just to start with. if you have the "Uhmph" it takes to be a world class fencer then money and time and other activities don't play into it. or matter

either you want it or you don't

there's not any whiney can i, what if i dont want to practice hard and miss the prom

[MHS Fencer]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that your chance of making the Olympic team in 2008 would be about 0. Unless you are extremely talented, 3 days of practice a week just doesn't cut it anymore to make a team in this country - 5-6 days a week with cyclical training methods would be increase the chances. Also, one lesson per week is much more just maintaining your current standard - it helps to show you some new things, but in order to stay on top of your game and make the 2008 team you'd need to have about 3 lessons a week from a top coach.

Coupled with all of this is extensive tournament experience (the only way to make the team in 2008 will be if you have international results in addition to national ones - actually, you may not even need national ones depending on which weapon you fence as if there's no team event only FIE points will count for qualification. In order to qualify for this level you need to be on the top 16 (if not higher) on the national points list before the end of the 2007 season in order to be able to go to Europe and compete in the A-grades, which is where you can get your points.

If you're only in 8th grade now this task will be nearly impossible, which is why I said 0. You need to start out with smaller, more immediate goals - winning your first competitions (if you haven't already - local, then sectional, then national) and maybe you could qualify for a junior team (although that too takes european travel). Fundraising is important, and you need to be able to show that you're making progress in order to keep people helping you out. Unfortunately, if you set your aim too high you'll be destined to fail, and I think that a 2008 team is out of reach (unless you are really naturally a gifted athlete and very smart in terms of tactics in the bout as well as training and which tournaments you go too).

Good luck fencing, enjoy it, but don't expect to make a big splash after only 6 years - you can have good results, but getting consistent good ones is the challenge, and that's what you'd need to make the olympics.

Sorry if i sound pessimistic/cynical/disheartening, but I still remember being naive enough to think I had a shot at a cadet team one year (and I started the year in the top 16).

[whtouche]

This seems like something you should really talk to your coach about.
But I agree mostly with MHS's response.
Something I'd like to add: It doesn't matter how often you practice if you're not any good. You have to be talented, AND work hard.
I know plenty of terrible fencers who practice frequently and get nowhere.

[Saber-Psycho]

Okay..... here is the question. What do you think the actuall chances of making the Olympics are in 2008... if..... you practice 3 X a week, have a lesson 1x a week, and have been fencing for 2 years already? Sorta hard to answer, I know. But could you please give me an oppinion....

That's a pretty high goal..... but go for it. Take it one step at a time. See what happens.
I wish you luck.

Pretty good if your short and cute

What is it with you?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

my goal this year is to place in the top fourth of the y-14 epee. Its a "big" goal, but its not the kind of goal that is for all practical purposes impossible. I do think that the 2008 is a wee bit far fetched, but if you have the determination, and the finances, it is possible... just believe in yourself (or something else that is corny)

[Aeric]

I think the best practice for most people shooting for that level has to be college varsity training.

They work you all the time, and it's great. I've seen someone go from being a lousy epeeist to making the final 8 in World Cups. Not to mention he's way up there on the national point standings.

[Mo]

Okay..... here is the question. What do you think the actuall chances of making the Olympics are in 2008... if..... you practice 3 X a week, have a lesson 1x a week, and have been fencing for 2 years already? Sorta hard to answer, I know. But could you please give me an oppinion....

Dear Joan,
Ever the pessimist about Olympic chances and similar long shots, I think you should work as hard as you can and see what you can do.
No one in here knows you, your skill level, your level of tenacity or diddly squat.
Do what you can for now, get as good as you can within the parameters of where you are working and whatever you do, stay away from A.B.
Good luck dear!! Fight fight fight!! Dreaming is a good thing. Make it come true.

[Sabresque]

I think the best practice for most people shooting for that level has to be college varsity training.

Depends on the college. There's only a very select few where this is true (I'd say three or so).

[Sabresque]

I think the best practice for most people shooting for that level has to be college varsity training.

Depends on the college. There's only a very select few where this is true (I'd say three or so).

As to you, joan, dream big. Then follow it up with persistance and hard work. This is also my goal, 2008, and I'm doing my best. Nothing is impossible, but make sure to have those short term goals also (cadet team, whatever). People are saying that if you don't think you have the talent, it isn't worth it, but I say there are two kinds of awesome fencers out there. The ones who have the natural ability, and have jumped on it in order to succeed, then the ones who don't haev the natural ability, but have been working so hard for their goal for so damned long they have taught themseves to be good. This, of course, doesn't work with everyone, but look at Keeth Smart. He was always thought (in the beggining) to not have as much talent as the other fencers in his club, and look at him now. Good luck, but I hope you ain't a WS fencer 'caus eyou'd have me to contend w/

[oiuyt]

and whatever you do, stay away from A.B.

Good luck, but I hope you ain't a WS fencer 'caus eyou'd have me to contend w/

According to her profile she's an epeeist so WS and A.B. shouldn't be issues unless/until she switches.

-B

[whtouche]

Who is A.B.?

[The0ne]

My guess is Mo's daughter but I could be wrong. . .

[Inquartata]

Hint: Look in the "Olympic Coaches" thread...