In the United States, the odds of making the Olympic team or winning a medal in the Games themselves is pretty astonishing.  To qualify for the marathon you must qualify to run in the Olympic Trials, held a few months before the actual Olympic Marathon. Hundreds of thousands of marathoners in the US try out and less than 300 runners, male and female, actually meet the qualifying standard.

The 300 runners run in the Olympic Trials Marathon and the top 3 finishers make up the US team. You have to be one of the three best on that specific day. 

Then consider what it takes to win a gold medal or even a silver or bronze. You have to be the best in the entire world ON that day. You must beat the best athlete from every other country.

When we look at the numbers, it gives us a more realistic understanding of what it actually takes to earn an Olympic spot. And, these athletes have only one chance every four years!!