The Winter Olympics have commenced, and it is noteworthy that no athletes from Northern Ireland are participating in the events.

The region's climate, although cold, does not lend itself to the development of winter sports, which may contribute to the lack of representation.

Despite the absence of ski resorts and limited ice skating facilities, with only one ice rink currently available, Northern Ireland has produced athletes who have overcome significant challenges to compete at the highest level in the past.

The question remains: what are the essential factors that enable an individual to become a Winter Olympian?

Jenna McCorkell, a former figure skater who represented Team GB at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, is a notable example of an athlete from Northern Ireland who achieved success in the sport.

Born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, McCorkell began skating at the Jet Centre, marking the beginning of her journey in the sport.

McCorkell recalled that her initial interest in figure skating was sparked by seeing a young girl in a newspaper, adorned in a sparkly dress and holding trophies, which inspired her to pursue the sport.

As she progressed, McCorkell's dedication to figure skating grew, and she became increasingly devoted to training, often requiring her parents to escort her off the ice at the end of each session.

However, at the age of 12, McCorkell faced a significant setback when her local ice rink in Coleraine closed, forcing her to seek alternative training facilities.

McCorkell acknowledged that the presence of an ice rink in Coleraine during her formative years was crucial to her development as a figure skater, and she may not have pursued the sport without it.

As a member of the British team, McCorkell demonstrated her commitment to success by traveling to the ice rink in Dundonald, County Down, on a daily basis to train, despite the challenges posed by the limited availability of facilities.

At 15, McCorkell made the difficult decision to relocate to England, a move that she believes was necessary for her to advance in the sport.

While McCorkell has no regrets about her decision, she acknowledges that it was a significant undertaking, both financially and personally.

McCorkell highlighted the challenges faced by athletes in securing funding, noting that it is often a "vicious circle" where results are required to obtain funding, but funding is necessary to achieve those results.

McCorkell emphasized that Northern Ireland has a wealth of talent, but she has long advocated for the development of additional ice rinks to provide opportunities for athletes to train and compete.

She pointed out that the lack of ice rinks in areas such as the north coast and Londonderry restricts access to various ice sports, including figure skating, short track, ice hockey, and curling.

McCorkell noted that a single ice pad can accommodate multiple sports, making it a valuable resource for athletes.

McCorkell's husband, Kevin van der Perren, a former Belgian figure skater, currently coaches at the Dundonald ice rink, traveling there daily.

Reflecting on her Olympic experience, McCorkell described the moment she walked out during the opening ceremony as unforgettable, a feeling that she couldn't put into words, and a culmination of all her hard work.

Aimee Fuller, a former Olympic snowboarder, will be attending the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, in her new role as a broadcaster for TNT Sport.

Born in England, Fuller began her athletic career at a young age, participating in local dry slope events and competing in motocross, which she believes helped prepare her for her future career in snowboarding.

Fuller credits her experience in motocross and gymnastics with laying the foundation for her skills in snowboarding.

Her first meaningful experience with snowboarding occurred when she was around eight years old, during a family visit to Canada.

Fuller recalled that, like many people, she found snowboarding to be frustrating and challenging when she first started, but she persevered.

When Fuller's family moved to America when she was 12, she developed a deep passion for snowboarding, which became a central part of her life.

Fuller described snowboarding as a unique sport that offers a "blank canvas for creativity," allowing athletes to express themselves in a distinct way.

However, when her family relocated to Northern Ireland when she was 16, Fuller was concerned that it would be impossible to pursue her snowboarding career from there.

Nevertheless, just one week after starting at Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Fuller received an invitation to attend the Roxy Futures Camp in Switzerland, after being spotted snowboarding in the US.

Fuller's school was supportive of her athletic pursuits, and she followed in the footsteps of Rory McIlroy, who had also balanced his sporting career with his education.

Fuller emphasized that inspiration is a crucial element in achieving success as an Olympian, and she drew motivation from watching the London 2012 Olympics, which fueled her desire to compete at the highest level.

Fuller noted that the current generation of athletes, who are active on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, have opportunities to showcase their talents and connect with others in ways that were not previously possible.

However, Fuller also stressed that becoming an Olympian requires an enormous amount of hard work and dedication.

She described the life of a competitive athlete as "brutal," involving constant travel, back-to-back competitions, and significant physical and mental demands.

Fuller recalled that the first thing she did after qualifying for the Olympics was to call her mother, a moment that was not just about personal achievement, but also about sharing the experience with those who had supported her throughout her journey.

Fuller acknowledged that the journey to becoming an Olympian is not just about individual effort, but also about the network of people who contribute to an athlete's success.

In that moment of qualifying, Fuller recognized that her achievement was not solely her own, but also a testament to the collective efforts and sacrifices made by her loved ones and supporters.