For many Olympians, college performance and the habits they develop set the stage for their success. Training has a direct relation with performance. The equipment may impact performance as well, depending on the sport and the advancements that are made in each field. Technology has advanced in the past few decades, and it's caused a significant improvement. While technology may play a role in improvement, many coaches feel that training and dedication are key in athletic success.
Training is basically the whole foundation.
It goes on all year-round whether it is the college or the elite level. Seventy percent of it is training and 30 percent is mental. Nutrition is an essential part of preparation. If athletes aren't healthy, then they can't perform to the best of their ability, Boyd said. Part of training for an event includes strength training.