# Ask the two-time Olympian **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 30, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537 "2012-11-30T03:42:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/41 "2012-11-30T19:00:22Z")
> [@nothanks](#): > > Im not sure why someone would come on here and lie about this stuff. Its not like i won some kind of Gold Medal or earn millions. You’d be surprised what people have claimed on this forum. We’ve had a few big ones recently. I have no problem believing you up to the point you ask for money 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/42 "2012-11-30T19:24:23Z")
> [@nothanks](#): > > haha those numbers are off sorry. > > The true numbers, would be high yes, but nowhere near as high people claim them to be. > > sorry to disappoint. So another under performance? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/43 "2012-11-30T19:33:55Z")
> [@nothanks](#): > > haha clearing a flaming hurdle would be a bit hard right now. Im barely in shape enough to clear a hurdle at the lowest height. sorry > > but if there is another way that i could somehow confirm my identity i guess i wouldnt mind doing so. > > Im not sure why someone would come on here and lie about this stuff. Its not like i won some kind of Gold Medal or earn millions. > > I am everyone else. I am part of the 1% that makes it and the 95% that hasn’t quite made it yet. haha If you want to see what some people come on here and lie about read [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=652342) abomination of a thread. My bullshit detector is finely tuned and it isn’t going off now. I think you are who you say you are. I will be disappointed in myself if you are not. But there are good reasons why people are not totally trusting around here. I know, its shocking to think anyone would lie on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![nothanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@nothanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nothanks)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/44 "2012-11-30T23:40:19Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So another under performance? maybe its performance anxiety.. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![littlespeedysuperbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@littlespeedysuperbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littlespeedysuperbike)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/45 "2012-12-01T04:34:36Z")
If you ever have to run in public - say to catch a bus or train, or get out of the rain, do people notice your speed? Do you cross-train with other sports? If so, which ones? ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/46 "2012-12-01T05:19:16Z")
What is Zeus really like? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/47 "2012-12-01T05:35:36Z")
I’m enjoying this thread. Thanks for the insights. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/48 "2012-12-01T07:25:37Z")
> [@nothanks](#): > > I have competed in two Olympic Games. The first was Beijing 2008 and most recently at the London 2012 Games. > > I run the 110 High Hurdles (track and field), and my personal best is 13.49 which is my national record here in Puerto Rico. Hi Héctor! Welcome to the Dope. Someone should update your Wikipedia page to show that you were at the 2012 London games: [Héctor Cotto - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_Cotto) Fortunately, this page has your complete record: [Olympics Site Closed | Olympics at Sports-Reference.com](http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/co/hector-cotto-1.html) Eighth place is not bad. I can’t run fast enough to catch my train on most mornings. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/49 "2012-12-01T07:42:54Z")
Oops, **Maserschmidt** already figured out our mystery guest’s identity in post #15. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/50 "2012-12-01T13:38:40Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Oops, **Maserschmidt** already figured out our mystery guest’s identity in post #15. :smack: And check out post #5. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/51 "2012-12-01T14:31:04Z")
How does a person get into the Olympics? Let’s use me as an example. I feel my regimen of eating little chocolate donuts is paying off and I want to start competing. I’m not associated with any academic athletic program. Is there some way I can sign myself up for some entry-level competition in order to show my stuff? Then after I’ve won a few events and acquired a media nickname (I’m thinking I’ll go with “The Chubby Cheetah”) I’m ready for the Olympics. Are there specific events I have to compete in to get their attention and qualify for the team? Does the committee contact athletes or do the athletes contact the committee? And when will I be given the official word I’m going to Rio, because I want to make sure I have enough time to learn Portuguese so I can hit on the local women. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/52 "2012-12-01T15:44:11Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > And check out post #5. 😉 :smack: ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/53 "2012-12-01T15:58:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > How does a person get into the Olympics? > > Let’s use me as an example. I feel my regimen of eating little chocolate donuts is paying off and I want to start competing. Sorry pal. I don’t want to burst your bubble but this is Thee Olympics we’re talking about. If you can’t handle full-sized donuts, are you really ready? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/54 "2012-12-01T20:43:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > How does a person get into the Olympics? By being selected by the national Olympic committee for that particular sport. Each sport has their own criteria for selection, with some having trials, others based on their efforts that season. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/55 "2012-12-01T21:11:16Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > By being selected by the national Olympic committee for that particular sport. Each sport has their own criteria for selection, with some having trials, others based on their efforts that season. How do the ‘Independent athletes’ get selected? Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/56 "2012-12-01T21:16:28Z")
[Wiki.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Olympians_at_the_Olympic_Games) > [@](#): > > Athletes have competed as Independent Olympians at the Olympic Games for various reasons, including political transition and international sanctions. The naming and country code conventions for these independent Olympians have not been consistent. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/57 "2012-12-01T21:26:00Z")
> [@nothanks](#): > > as a hurdler (and athlete) my biggest weakness is my brain. I have always had the problem of “thinking” too much. > > There is a time to be logical, and a time to just let things happen. I have the bad habit of thinking too much, and not trusting my instincts and my training to lead me to success. What efforts are you making to overcome this problem? Do you have a strategy and do you allocate any portion of your considerable daily training time to implementing this strategy? Do you have access to a sports psychologist or are they an expensive luxury? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/58 "2012-12-02T00:18:16Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > By being selected by the national Olympic committee for that particular sport. Well, yes, but that’s the final step in the process. My question was more about how you start out in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/59 "2012-12-02T05:16:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Well, yes, but that’s the final step in the process. My question was more about how you start out in the process. It’s going to depend on the sport. In some sports, like the marathon IIRC, you just need to have a marathon under a certain time to be allowed to run in the Olympic Marathon trials. In other sports, like gymnastics, you’re going to have to perform well enough on the major gymnastics circuit to be invited to the Olympic trial tournament. There’s no single path. ---
**Author:** ![nothanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c2a13f/32.png) [@nothanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nothanks)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537/60 "2012-12-07T20:39:38Z")
> [@littlespeedysuperbike](#): > > If you ever have to run in public - say to catch a bus or train, or get out of the rain, do people notice your speed? > > Do you cross-train with other sports? If so, which ones? Yes people have always noticed that im fast. Even running towards the bust i guess. Its not so much about the speed though, its more about the ease in the movements. I do not cross train with other sports. But i do learn alot from the way athletes in other sports train. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-two-time-olympian/642537.md?page=4)