Being a teenage athlete Juggling is my life: I’m a long jumper. I train four times a week and compete on Sundays. I love athletics, but my life isn’t easy and involves a lot of juggling. Schoolwork, training, family life, sleeping and socializing all need my attention and there are only 24 hours in a day! So what are my biggest problems? A. : Most of my friends aren’t sporty so they don’t understand why I am. If we’re hanging out and I have to leave early because I’ve got an athletics meeting on the next day, they say ‘No, Sam, you mustn’t go!’ B. : An athlete can eat a lot and not get fat, but I must eat healthy food to support all the exercise (and brainwork) I do. I have to ignore the machines selling sweets and chocolate (not easy!) and make sure I eat enormous helpings of protein, vegetables and fruit. C. : When I’m training hard I should go to bed early, or I quickly feel exhausted. This is a problem, as I’ve sometimes got loads of homework to do when I get home. Luckily, there’s Saturday! D. : I have to use every free moment. I often revise in the car to and from training. I do homework after dinner, but I shouldn’t stay up late, so usually I finish my coursework at the weekend, when my friends are out having fun. I’m not surprised they think I’m crazy! I don’t have to do this, so why do I? Because I’m good at it, and I want to win a gold medal!