Why do Scandinavian countries have soo many winter athletes?

[PresidentBruno]

I know that winter olympics are their bread and butter, but you have countries with like 2-3% the population of the US with 50% of the athlete contigent.

[mike5150]

Geological reasons. Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands are much farther north than the US. They accumulate more snow and they have the resources, hills/mountains/indoor facilities, that give them the access to practice and train more. Same reason can be said why you don't see many latin countries in the winter Olympics is because they are geographically located farther from heavily snowy areas.

[Anon1999]

Because they perform well in the world championships and that allows them the right to compete in the Olympics. If one of the Scandinavian countries has the worlds best 10 skiers then they should be included. So that country deserves more participants than other countries whose skiers aren't as good.

[QueenPolo]

Because its the coldest part of the earth is my guess. Lots of time to practice winter sports.

[vishna]

More opportunities to join sports involving snow and ice.

[martyfellow]

They still travel on skis in the winter, still skate on frozen lakes for fun. It's winter there nearly half the year!

Just like we in the US have a lot of skateboarders, so we win most of the medals.

[THE_Godfather]

More important, HOW can Jamaica have a bobsled team?

[kheserthorpe]

Because sprinting.

[kheserthorpe]

They're cold, well off, and most of the winter sports are a bit part of their culture.

[neoagent1]

Cause it's COLD over there. Isn't that like asking how come Asian countries have so many martial artists?

[kheserthorpe]

And asia has ... a lot of ... hand to hand combat?

[COCOCHANEL]

they live in the arctic and are one with the ice

[scandinaviangal]

Because 6 months of the year the ground is covered with snow haha.