I did competitive gymnastics until I was in high school and only made it to State, so I wouldn't have gone anywhere had I pursued it. It does take a lot of work, not only from the person, but, it is a family affair. My mother had to drive me, my father had to work extra to pay for it, and I gave up going out with my friends to get to bed early.
To be at that level is a lot of work and dedication and I am glad that my parents realized that I was exceptional, but, it would always be this way, no life and even though I think I might have continued, I am glad that I didn't. Of course, nowadays, being elite brings sports contracts unlike when I was competing.
As an aside, one of my first jobs, the secretary who was ready to retire was a former Gold Medalist in swimming. She did it and when she retired from that, she took an office job. All that training.
Yikes.
It is far more competitive in the US for this area I think. A large population makes a difference. My small town (about 15K people at the time) had a couple of Australian players at the same time in it for hockey. For some reason, it did very well at producing talent for decades.
It is insane now and speaks to the massive increase in the consumer mentality. The greatest of all time in the past are paupers in comparison to the average of the present.
I can't imagine what it is like to do something like this. It must be both freeing and oppressive at the same time.