Question about qualifying for Olympic archery

[Neohighlander]

Hi guys,
I know this might be a crazy idea/question, but I have a unique circumstance regarding birthplace, Olympics, and archery.

I was born in Bermuda in 1977. I have both US and UK citizenship (dual citizenship). I am an archer and bowhunter. I currently live in Dallas, TX. Since I was born in Bermuda, technically, to my knowledge, I could participate in an Olympic games under the Bermudan flag. I would choose archery to be my sport. However, I have no idea how to go about finding out about this (ok, maybe not NO idea, I did already email the Bermudan Olympic Committee...waiting to hear back). My question is...does anybody know about how to qualify for the Olympics in archery? What do you have to do? Who do you have to contact, what tournaments do you have to participate in, etc etc etc? I tried to google "Bermudan Archery" and there's not much of anything on the web. Does anybody have any ideas that could help me out? THanks a lot guys!!

[r_u_sharp_2]

You tried the Bermuda Olympic Association?

Also you probably need to be shooting recurve. I would check out the US archery page to see what the US is doing regarding Olympic teams. Like Brady Ellison.

Good luck.

[Seacoal]

Olympic archery is crazy hard, but also awesome. I hope you can do it

[Cajun Blake]

first of all , how good of an archer are you ?

have you ever shot a FITA IOC approved bow ?

have you won any FITA tournaments ?


IIRC, you have to pre-qualify at various events and be one of the top 64 archers in the World just to earn your place in the Olympics.

If you compete as a Bermudan, how do you plan of getting financial support and funding to train, and compete in qualifying tournaments ?

FYI - Bermuda sent 8 athletes to the 2012 Olympics as they competed in 5 events : T&F, Equestrian, Sailing, Swimming, & Triathlon

Since the Bermudan Olympic Committee does not field or support an archery team, your dreams don't look good

[Neohighlander]

Cajun Blake - Just because something hasn't been done before (i.e. not sending any archers), doesn't mean it CANNOT be done. There is always a first time for everything.

And I haven't figured out all of the finer details yet...that's why I'm doing my research and asking questions. But thanks for your verbal crushing of the dream.

Good thing I have a positive attitude about things

[cosmiccowboy]

Cajun Blake is right. You better be REALLY REALLY good. Those people are amazing. Like 100 yard robin hood with a long bow amazing.

[TP3]

^Haha that was funny

[yaqui]

CB might not have been the most subtle, but now, at least, I know how I am going to spice the red snapper we are having for dinner Rajin Blaze. Seriously.

Oh and good luck with your olympic dream. I had a dream once...

[RogueSamurai]

It certainly appears that there are people from one country representing others in the Olympics. I saw a guy from Canada, trained in the US, ski for Italy. Not sure how that works but best of luck to you. Would be awesome to see a TBH'er on the podium.

[Horitexan]

Blake is definitely right about what he said but, if you're dedicated enough and lucky enough, you may be able to find Bermudian sponsors to fund your quest. This may be your avenue to convincing their Olympic committee to field an archery team, even if it consists of just you. Remember the Jamaican bobsled team- follow their lead. If you're not good enough to join the US team, starting your own Bermudian team might be your best route to becoming an "olympian." Not sure, but I'll bet you wouldn't be able to maintain dial citizenship as an Olympian. Most likely, I would imagine, you'd have to pick one.

Good luck - you're going to need it to become an Olympic archer, along with a boatload of skillz!!

It certainly appears that there are people from one country representing others in the Olympics. I saw a guy from Canada, trained in the US, ski for Italy. Not sure how that works but best of luck to you. Would be awesome to see a TBH'er on the podium.

Most likely scenario: the guy holds a Italian passport but lives and works in Canada under a work visa but has a top- rated coach that coaches out of the US. Just like foreign athletes that train here, go to school here, may even represent a US college in collegiate athletics but, when it comes to the Olympics, they represent the country they are officially a citizen of.

[gatorgar]

It certainly appears that there are people from one country representing others in the Olympics. I saw a guy from Canada, trained in the US, ski for Italy. Not sure how that works but best of luck to you. Would be awesome to see a TBH'er on the podium.

A Starr County local who went to school here, raised here and trained here, participated under the Mexican flag for the 2012 Olympics. Weirder things have happened.

Neo, CB wasn't being a buzzkill, he just told it like it is. Take his words to heart, but if you really want to do what you are saying, keep at it. Jamaica has a bobsled team (as previously noted), so anything is possible. Get yourself a real bow, and see if you have what it takes. Going to be a log harder than you think and you will want to quit, power on thru. Eventually you will know if what you are proposing is possible and, I can almost guarantee, CB will be one of your strongest supporters.

Good luck

[bowhuntntxn]

Send a PM to TomB. He has years of experience in international archery events, and might be able to offer some insight to help you with your quest.

[Wayno]

Contact Olympic Recurve on here. I met Stanten several years ago in an archery shop in San Antonio. I think he either went to the olympics or was preparing to try out for it. He might have some insight for you.

[Cajun Blake]

Cajun Blake - Just because something hasn't been done before (i.e. not sending any archers), doesn't mean it CANNOT be done. There is always a first time for everything.

And I haven't figured out all of the finer details yet...that's why I'm doing my research and asking questions. But thanks for your verbal crushing of the dream.

Good thing I have a positive attitude about things

not trying to bust your chops brother, just speaking the truth

I truly believe you can do anything you set your mind to; however it has to be within reason.

can YOU participate in the 2016 Olympics as a Bermudan ...... possibly

what are the odds ..... no telling as it will all be about politics and how much $$$$ you have . The Jamaican 2 man bobsled team had to raise enough money -- initially $40,000 -- to get to Russia and compete there. That's before they even qualify for the event.

I'm all about supporting the little man and seeing dreams come true. If you're 100% serious, you need to find out several things : (1) how much it will cost , (2) do you have the skillset needed to compete in the Olympics as a world class archer, and (3) will the BOC even consider your request and dreams.

* FYI * I just did some research and confirmed that Bermuda has had an archery club for several years now dedicated to FITA and serious recurve shooters. Members receive one on one training from an archery instructor who has competed in International shooting. Each summer Bermuda participates in the "Island Games" , an Olympic type event to see who is the best athlete in various disciplines from multiple Islands. In 2013 Bermuda applied for an Archery team who will likely compete in the 2014 Island Games. Top archers from Bermuda will likely represent their country in Rio should Bermuda decide to field an archery team.

In order to secure a spot on the 3 man team, pretty sure you would have to win the archery division of the Island Games or be a world class archer and be invited to represent Bermuda by the BOC and the archery team coach. Native islanders will get first consideration over those who live on the mainland.

With that being said, you have 923 days to bust your arse , train like a rabid dog, and prove to yourself and others you deserve a shot in Rio to rep your birth country. Geaux for it brother as I'm pulling for you