That’s quite the non-central example. Gamesmanship, cheating and being the only San Marinan or Guamian able and willing to represent their country in some sport excepted do you think a normal person is capable of becoming conpetitive at an élite level in most sports?

It didn’t work for Dan McLaughlin when he tried to go from nothing to pro in golf.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_McLaughlin_(golfer)

http://thedanplan.com/