Q&A for How to Become an Olympic Figure Skater

It is definitely possible, as long as you're willing to put in the time, practice, and dedication to succeed! While chances for the Olympics is not very feasible now, you could still learn enough elements (spins and jumps) to participate in the adults masters categories. Check out what competitions are available in your area, and work toward that as a goal.

First try group lessons, if you get to like the sport, keep doing group lessons. Move into private lessons after you learn the basic skills if you are serious about the sport. If you put in the work and practice, one day maybe you can go to the Olympics.

There is no maximum age limit to be an Olympian. To enter, you must be at least 15 the year of the Olympics.

While there is an "ideal" body type for figure skaters (slim and being of average or short height), anyone can be a professional skater. Follow the lifestyle of a professional figure skater (exercise every day of the week, ice skate 3-5 hours a day, 4-6 days a week, and eat a healthy diet), and you should eventually begin to lose weight and get in better shape. Dedicating your life to figure skating may result in a huge lifestyle change, but it will be worth it if you love the sport.

Yes, especially at the beginning, but everything worth doing is difficult. If you want to figure skate, go after it!

Yes. As long as you figure skate, you are a figure skater. You just can't consider yourself an Olympic figure skater if you're not part of the Olympics.

You can't necessarily "join" them, rather you need to qualify for the Olympics. In order to qualify, you must compete in your state's sanctioned Regional and Sectional competitions, eventually making it to Nationals where you would have to place third or higher to make it to the Olympics. You have to place fourth or higher at Regionals to continue to Sectionals and the same at Sectionals to continue to Nationals. Plus, you have to be in the Senior level to do it.

It's never too late to learn, but the older you get, the less likely it will be that you could go to the Olympics.

Keeping working at it! The break doesn't mean anything if you resume training and work hard.

You will have to go to your nearest rink and inquire. Most rinks have resident coaches, and some even have programs where you can learn to pick up skating progressively.

Yes. You should reach for your dreams. It may take a good deal of extra effort to catch up to others at your age, but if this is what you really want, go for it.

Self-teaching in this sport is incredibly dangerous. You need a spotter and coach when doing even the simplest things. Never try to learn from YouTube videos or tutorials; you need hands-on teaching to learn the skills safely. Most Olympic figure skaters have at least two different coaches: one for techniques and jumps/spins; and one for interpretation, expression, and choreography. They may even have a completely separate choreographer. Don't do anything more than basic skills without a legitimate coach as it could be detrimental to your physical health and develop bad techniques or habits. To answer your question though, no, it is nearly impossible and potentially dangerous for someone to get into the Olympics after being self-taught.

As soon as you can. Olympic figure skaters start as young as 3 years old with intense practice.

Yes, of course you can. You will need intense training and true dedication to the sport, but it is definitely possible.

No, anyone can do it with the right amount of talent and hard work. You just have to have a dream, a goal, practice and work hard to get there and you can become an Olympian.

To pass your senior test MIF or free skate, it will take about six years from when you started testing.

Yes. You can start figure skating at any age. Chances are you can still get to a pretty high level.

It is unlikely. Most Olympic figure skaters started very young, and many are young when they compete. Some are as young as 16.

Find a good coach or club to help you. You can tell your coach your goal so they can help you achieve it, and they will know what skills you need to train to become an Olympian.

Certainly, though you may have difficulty becoming competitive at your age, your riding background does provide you with basic physical conditioning for starting.

The younger you are, the better. However, there are some very successful skaters that started in the age 7-12 range.

Yes, definitely, but it depends how much effort and time you are willing to sacrifice. To be a professional figure skater, you will need to practice at least 2-3 times a week. Even if you don't make it to the Olympics, there are other skating career paths you could look into, like coaching or judging.

Figure skating is an expensive sport, and being an Olympian requires strict training and coaching from a young age. It's disappointing, but if you're too young to have a steady job with regular income, you may need to find a new sport.

The best way to find out is to talk to your coach. They can tell you what level you are at and how you can improve.

Yes; however, if you live in a conservative Muslim country, this could make things more difficult--research Zahra Lari to see some of the challenges she's faced in becoming the first Muslim woman to compete as an international figure skater. Most Western countries protect the religious rights of their citizens, though--for example, in the US the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits agencies from treating anyone differently because of religious beliefs (or lack thereof).

It is possible with enough practice. It is tough to say how likely you are to make it to the Olympics since everyone learns at their own pace. Definitely try to practice more often, as it will give you better odds.

If you are a good enough skater already, then your chances could be high, provided you start training with a coach as soon as possible. You will need to be dedicated.

Yes! There is no age limit for the Olympics. As long as you work at it, you can go very far. Think about Jonny Weir - he started in his teenage years and became very successful.

You qualify for the Olympics by placing in the top 3 at your country's nationals. 1-2 hours a day 6 days a week of off-ice is plenty if you are skating 5-7 days a week.