International Olympians Describe Their Biggest Obstacles

Ariarne Titmus (Swimming, Australia)

“I have no idea how to swim.”

Lucca Mesinas (Surfing, Peru)

“My biggest challenge will be getting my surfboard through customs. Do I check it? And is there an extra fee? Can someone help me out here?”

Hideki Matsuyama (Golf, Japan)

“The course is, like, a 7-minute drive from my house, but they’re still making me stay at the Olympic Village. Like, what the fuck?”

Aleksandr Vlasov (Cyclist, Russia)

“I gotta make sure no one knows I’m doping.”

Shi Tingmao, (Diving, China)

“Making sure the judges look up from their phones for five goddamn seconds, so you don’t have to do the dive twice.”

Dan MacLelland (Bowling, Canada)

“Deciding whether I want to be on a Wheaties box or the new face of Versace.”

Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Badminton, Indonesia)

“The obstacles one faces playing badminton are huge. I—why are you laughing? Please stop. See, this is just one example.”

Portia Woodman (Rugby, New Zealand)

“I gotta remember to wear my mouthguard during these rugby games. I’m already on my fourth set of teeth, and they are starting to get expensive.”

Tom Daley (Diving, England)

“Representing England. It’s just not a country you can feel good about.”

Santiago Lange (Sailing, Argentina)

“The biggest thing I need to remember is to check for stowaways on my sailboat before heading out onto the water. They can really slow you down.”

Mo Farah (Great Britain, Track and Field)

“I brought 17 Yorkshire puddings in my suitcase, but I’m scared it’s not going to be enough.”

Uta Abe (Judo, Japan)

“My obstacle is lasting two weeks without dying of utter fucking embarrassment at this shitshow my country insists on putting on.”

Wang Jianjiahe (China, Swimming)

“It’s definitely a cultural adjustment meeting athletes from countries like Japan and the U.S. who believe that they’re free, and just being like, ‘Buddy, who’s gonna tell them?’”

Oksana Chusovitina (Gymnastics, Russia)

“My biggest challenge will be finding some real matcha in Japan. I’m not talking about that overpriced fake shit they sell to tourists. I want the real deal—the stuff they use in ceremonies. Oh, and I also want to do well in my events, I guess.”

Danuta Kozák (Hungary, Canoe Sprint)

“I must fight the constant urge to go nice and slow in the canoe and take in the scenery. Here’s the thing: if you try to enjoy the scenery, you will lose. Yet how much beauty have I passed by and not even noticed it, focused as I am on paddling fast?”

Ashleigh Barty (Tennis, Australia)

“Making sure they have blue Gatorade for me. I won’t drink that nasty yellow shit.”

Camryn Rogers (Hammer Throw, Canada)

“I always have to remind myself that my job is to throw the hammer and not get too attached to it.”

Stephanie Gilmore (Australia, Surfing)

“If I don’t medal, I’m not going to sell any copies of my book. And if I don’t sell my book, I’m not going to have anywhere to park my car, because there are currently 30,000 self-published copies of my book sitting in the garage.”

Dame Valerie Adams (Shot Put, New Zealand)

“Remembering all the words to the Shot Putter’s Incantation.”

Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (Badminton, India)

“Every time I try to play badminton, someone puts a 20-foot net in my way.”