When the torch is lit for the 2024 Winter Olympics in Paris, France, millions of people will settle down to watch and marvel at the strength, skill speed and determination of some of the best athletes in the world.

As we watch those athletes though, we will rarely consider the long road that they had to navigate to qualify for the competition and the sheer strength of character that was required to achieve their level of excellence.

Consider LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Megan Sampson.

Sampson has always wanted to excel as an athlete.

She started playing rugby when she was 10 years old and the focus and effort that she displayed, even at that tender age, set her apart from most of her peers.

By the time she was 12, she was asking whether she could try out at the RBC Training Ground. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a talent identification and athlete funding program designed to find young athletes with Olympic potential and provide them with the resources they need to achieve their podium dreams.

Not your usual request for a 12-year-old.

Unfortunately, she was told that she had to be at least 14 years old to try out.

That didnB次元官网网址檛 discourage Sampson. Instead, it motivated her to redouble her efforts and training. At 13, she tried out for and was placed on the BC Bears (rugby club) and was later selected for the Tropical Sevens in Florida. That was with the MacDowell Rugby Academy.

Finally, at 14, Sampson got her chance to go to the RBC Training ground, along with more than 2,200 other aspiring athletes where her strength, power, endurance and speed were all evaluated.

But, when she got a call, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 from anyone associated with rugby.

B次元官网网址淚 got called by Luge Canada and asked to go to a training camp in Calgary and, honestly, I was confused. I knew nothing about luge and was quite surprised. IB次元官网网址檇 never even seen it on TV,B次元官网网址� said Sampson. B次元官网网址淏ut there was something in the testing that they spotted, and they thought IB次元官网网址檇 be good at luge.B次元官网网址�

So, Sampson headed off to Calgary and had her first experience with the sport.

Now for those who donB次元官网网址檛 know a lot about luge, imagine lying on your back on a small sled and hurtling down an icy track at speeds that can reach more than 120 kilometres an hour.

B次元官网网址淚t was fun, and I wanted to do it again,B次元官网网址� Sampson recalled. B次元官网网址淚t was kind of scary, but I got used to it.B次元官网网址�

Things progressed and Sampson was named in the top 100 by the RBC Training Ground and was also approached by Luge Canada to begin a three-year training program in which sheB次元官网网址檒l be completing more than 200 slides a year.

B次元官网网址淚f she keeps going (and thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing to suggest that this little fireball wonB次元官网网址檛 do just that) she could start competing on a national level in two years,B次元官网网址� said MeganB次元官网网址檚 mother Chrissy Keddle. B次元官网网址淪he could make a junior national level from there and if she does well, she could look toward the 2030 Olympics.B次元官网网址�

Circling back to the opening of this profile, pause for a moment to consider the among of training, running and determination it has taken to get Megan Sampson to this point and the hours of running, lifting and training that still lie ahead.

Sampson isnB次元官网网址檛 perturbed by the prospect.

B次元官网网址淚t would be really exciting to get to the Olympics, and right now itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun training and competing,B次元官网网址� she said.

Oh, and in case anyone thinks that Sampson has forgotten about rugby, theyB次元官网网址檇 be mistaken.

Sampson still plays for Belmont Secondary SchoolB次元官网网址檚 team as well as for the Crimson Tide and the Westshore Rugby Club.

B次元官网网址淪he is an awesome rugby player, B次元官网网址渟aid her Belmont coach, Charlotte Haley. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 got this amazing work ethic and is willing to challenge herself to do things that are outside her comfort zone. At the same time, sheB次元官网网址檚 a quiet leader who inspires the whole team.B次元官网网址�

And those characteristics- characteristics that Sampson shares with virtually all elite athletes - are why we may one day see Megan Sampson at the Olympics.