As a marketing expert how would you approach reaching this goal? Pick your favourite sport and hope for the best? Not likely! You are going to determine how you can create your own box with the best odds for success. While you may have born with some natural talent, there is no doubt that the road to success will be paved with both hard work and fierce determination.

Marketing Plan Considerations:

Research and Analyze

Calculate your best chance of making it to the Olympics. Which sport has the fewest competitors and the most available spots? Also consider the training involved to reach the required level. Research past successes and analyze the competition.

Location and Access

What access do you have to the required equipment, facility and coaches? The Jamaican bobsled team consisting of Winston Watts and Marvin Dion competed in Sochi after raising $148,000 through the internet to go.

Budget And Support

Can you afford the training, equipment and time? Filipino Figure Skater, Michael Christian Martinez‘s family mortgaged their home to send him to Sochi. While John Jahr of Germany, the oldest curler that competed in Sochi, is a millionaire businessman.

Realistic Expectations

Do you have the strength, drive and determination to achieve the end result? Canadian firefighter Duff Gibson, won Gold in Skeleton at the 2006 Olympics after attempting careers in both bobsleigh and speed skating.

Timing

Is there enough time to achieve the required results? Oscar Swahn of Sweden, is the oldest ever athlete to compete at the Olympics at 72 years and 49 days old in shooting.

Potential obstacles

How objective are the results? Is the sport based on judging with potential skewed results or is it a clear win or lose? Were Canadian skaters, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, snubbed by the judges in Sochi?

Be Creative

Create your own destiny. Think of a new sport and convince the Olympic committee that it is a good idea. Luge Relay for example.

Brand

How will you make yourself stand out from the crowd? Jason Brown won the crowd over with his free skate to Riverdance at the U.S. championships. He won the silver medal and a place on the U.S. Olympic team headed to Sochi with no quad in site. The videos of his performance went viral with over 4 million views making him a household name.

Joint campaign

Would you pick a solo sport or attempt to piggy back with proven athletes? Jessie Lumsden, was a CFL Football player whose career ended with an injury. He was recruited to bobsled just before the Vancouver Olympics and teamed with Veteran drivers.

Success ratio

Does your chosen sport provide multiple chances to medal or will your one shot at a medal be decided in a few moments? American swimmer Michael Phelps has won 22 Olympic medals. Clara Hughes won multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Games.

Research, strategize, and work hard and you just might find yourself competing at the Olympics by way of a perfectly executed marketing plan.

Sources for this article include:

Haley, James. “An Olympic Dream Come True – Fire Fighting in Canada.” An Olympic Dream Come True – Fire Fighting. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
“Jason Brown (figure Skater).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
“Jesse Lumsden.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Apr. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
“List of Multiple Olympic Medalists.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
Mihoces, Gary. “Figure Skating: No Quad, No Problem for Jason Brown? | Barrington Courier Review.” Figure Skating: No Quad, No Problem for Jason Brown? | Barrington Courier Review. USA Today Sports, 14 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
“Oldest and Youngest Olympians (Summer Games).” Oldest and Youngest Olympians. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
Robertson, Grant. “Virtue and Moir Skate to Silver in Ice DanceAdd to …” The Globe and Mail. The Glove and Mail, 17 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
Sports, Nancy Armour. “U.S. Skater Jason Brown Becomes Internet Sensation.” USA Today. Gannett, 07 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.
“True Olympic Heroes That We’ll Definitely Remember from Sochi 2014 Games – RT News.” True Olympic Heroes That We’ll Remember from Sochi 2014 Games – RT News. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.