This is a non-serious, entiely theoretical question, based more on
your opions than on actual research

Given that i am a 21 year old male from the UK, in very good personal
health and good physical shape, what would sport would be the easiest
to represent my country at a future (summer) olympic games, given, the
natural ability required, training dedication,  participation rates
etc.

Assume previous experience only in high school team sports, such as
soccer and basketball


For example, I presume i could train everday for the next 6 years and
i would never be of the ability to be an olympic gymnast or boxer but
that something such as archery may be a little easier...but what would
be the easiest?

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Clarification of Question by jurassic-ga on 22 Mar 2006 10:13 PST

I am 170cm and 75kg

Dear Jurassic, 

Some of "oldest" olympic athletes are in shooting, as mentioned
before. Sailing in fact requires much skill and physical strength (I
have a friend who came up fourth in Sydney, you should see her
muscles), though yachting - which is also an olympic sport - doesn't;
however, I would also agree regarding equestrian sports: the one who
does the job is the horse (OK, a bit unfair, but how come you always
have some horse-faced spoiled princess among the competitors?).

Except for those already mentioned, I would add walking and marathon
(both has "older" participants), which are very physical (real
sports), but yet rely first and foremost on stamina.

Weight lifting is apparently also a possibility: 
" I began weight training when I was 20 years old, in the spring of
1999. Prior to this I was only mildly athletic, playing some rec
sports, but no varsity sports in high school. "
(Alan Jaworski, <http://www.robertuniverse.com/casestudy/jaworskigallery.htm>). 

If you decide to take up a Winter Olympics consider curling. The
oldest winter olympics medal winner was a curler, in 1924.

A bit of inspiration: 
Oscar Swahn
<http://www.olympic.org/uk/athletes/profiles/bio_uk.asp?par_i_id=56496> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it.

What about moving to Bermuda, which has its own National Olympic
Committee and sends its own team, despite being part of the UK?  Thus
as a UK citizen would have no problems  - still representing your
country -  but obviously without much competition for a place on the
team.  Maybe you could meet whatever residency requirement and still
mainly train in England.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bd.html
http://www.olympics.bm/sitemap.htm
http://www.olympics.bm/olympicgamesathens%202004.htm

The British Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands could be alternatives.

Obviously you'd have to factor in what competition you were facing to
make your country's Olympic team (as the first comment focuses on).

In my opinion, I would look at these events:

archery (Geena Davis, the actress, came close - I use that term
loosely - to making the U.S. Olympic team after taking up the sport).

or

shooting

It seems that the learing curve wouldn't be steep - just practice,
practice, practice and hope you have a steady hand.

Also,

sailing or equestrian events.

No offense to the participants of these sports, it just seems that if
you could pick up the skills involved you might have a shot.

Have a good day.